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MONUMENT OF THE 124th PENNA. VOLUNTEERS 

ANTIETAM, MD. 

DEDICATED SEPT. 17th, 1904 



PHOTO. BY LOUIS G.GREEN 



HISTOEY 



OF THE 



One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 

Regiment 

PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 



IN THE 



WAR OF THE REBELLION— l.S(i2-18(>3 



PvEGIMENTAL RE-UNIONS 

1885-] !)()(! 



HISTORY OF MONUMENT 



COMPILED BY 

ROBERT M. GREEN 

APPROVED BY 

THE REGIMENTAL COMMITTEE 



PHILADELPHIA : 
Wake Bros. Company, Printers, 1010 Arch Street 

1907 






\, 



^ 



To perpetuate the memory of those 
who enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fourth Regiment, Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers, in ihe War of the 
Rebellion. 

This volume is fraternally dedi- 
cated to their descendants by the 

HISTORIAN 






PREFACE 



To THE Survivors of the One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers : 

At the first Reunion of the Regimental Association in 
1885, Chas. D. M. Broomhall, who had been a Sergeant in 
Company D, was appointed Historian of the Regiment in 
anticipation that sufficient records could be collected and 
published as would transmit to coming generations a memorial 
of the services rendered and the hardships endured by the 
124th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the War of 
the Rebellion. 

The 124th was recruited under the proclamation of Presi- 
dent Lincoln for nine months' service to commence in August, 
1862, and end in May, 1863, making the campaign practically 
a winter one. 

In the opinion of the Committee and of historians in 
general, there was no more critical period during the entire 
War than at the time when the 124th was recruited, and while 
it is true that the losses of the Regiment in battle were com- 
paratively few, exposure, disease and death depleted the ranks 
from 925 to less than 600. 

The death of Sergeant Broomhall took place before he had 
accomplished the work assigned him, but the records secured 
by him are published herein. 

At the Reunion of the Regimental Association in 1904 
the uncompleted work was assigned to Comrade Robert I\I. 
Green, Vice-President of the Association, and he has gratui- 

9 



tously given much time and labor in collecting and arranging 
the details contained herein. 

It is sincerely hoped by the Committee that the work of 
Comrade Green will be appreciated by those who contributed 
toward its publication, and be of interest to the descendants of 
those who took part in the great struggle that this Nation 
might be preserved. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Col. Jos. W. Hawley, 
John Pugh, 
John D. Howard, 
Joel Hollingsworth, 
Henry C. Warburton, 

Coinniittcc. 



lO 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

The 124th : How Recruited 17 

Proclamations of Governor Curtin 17. 191 

Records of Lieut. C. D. M. Broomhall 19 

Major Haldeman's Report of Battle of Antietam 33-37 

Welcome Home of Regiment 49 

Records from Bates' History 56 

Roster of 124th 61-81 

Diary of David S. Wilkinson no 

" " KdwardT. Harlan 129 

" " Henry J. Stager 151 

Reminiscence of George D. Miller 105 

" " William G. Knowles 109 

" " David S. Wilkinson no 

•' " Joel Hollingsworth 112 

" " William W. Potts 117 

" " Chaplain Jos. vS. Evans 148 

" " Col. Jos. W. Hawley 200 

Organization of the Society of 124th 206 

First Annual Reunion, 1885 : West Chester 207 

Second " " 1S86 : Media 208 

Third " " 1887: Antietam 212 

Fourth " " 1S88: Chester 214 

Fifth " " 18S9: Wilmington 215 

Sixth " " 1890: Oxford 237 

Seventh " " 1891 : Coatesville 242 

p:ighth " " 1892 : Klwyn 243 

Ninth " " 1893: Westchester 247 

Tenth " " 1894: Antietam 249 

Eleventh " " 1895: Valley Forge 253 

Twelfth " " 1896: Chancellorsville ... .... 259 

1 1 



CONTENTS— Continued 



PAGE 

Thirteenth Annual Reunion, 1897 : Paoli 266 

Fourteenth " " 1.S98: Gettysburg 273 

Fifteenth " " 1899: Reading 277 

Sixteenth " " 1900: Antietam 284 

Seventeenth " " 1901 : Castle Rocks Park 289 

Eighteenth " " 1902 : Downingtown 295 

Nineteenth " " 1903 : Castle Rocks Park 303 

Twentieth " " 1904: Antietam 313 

Twenty -first " " 1905 : Brandywine Springs Park . . . 320 

Twenty-second" " 1906: Lenape Park 329 

Song, " The Old Coffee Kettle " 337 

Battlefield Commission 342 

History of Monument 343 

Description of Monument 349 

Preparing for Excursion 352 

The Trip to Antietam . 352 

Dedication Program 353 

Prayer of Chaplain Joseph S. Evans 354 

Address of Colonel Joseph W. Hawley 355 

Address of Robert M. Green 356 

Program of General Exercises 353, 366 

Comrades at Dedication 365 

Transfer of Monuments to Governor Pennypacker by Col. Hawley . 367 

Gov. Pennypacker's Acceptance and Transfer to General Oliver . . 367 

General Oliver's Acceptance 368 

Address of Rev. J, Richards Boyle 373 

Address of General W. W. Black mar 387 

Address of General Thos. J. Stewart 387 

Letter from John W. Marshall 388 



I 2 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Monument of 124th Frontispiece 

Abraham Lincoln 16 

Gen'l Geo. B. McClellan 2; 

Gen'l Joseph Hooker 28 

Gen'l Jos. K. F. Mansfield 35 

Flag of 124th 50 

Col. Hawley and StafF 82-86 

Members of 124th 87-102 

George D. Miller, 1861-1906 104-105 

Lieut. Col. Simon Litzenberg 107 

Gen'l George Gordon Meade 113 

William W. Potts, 1S63-1906 • ■ 116-117 

Edward T. Harlan 128 

Gen'l John W. Geary 140 

Gen'l Samuel W. Crawford i44 

Chaplain Joseph S. Evans '46 

Gen'l Thos. Leiper Kane 160 

Andrew G. Curtin 19' 

Col. Joseph VV. Hawley, 1863-1906 196-197 

Capt. Norris L. Yarnall 203 

William P. West 245 

Section of Fence, Antietam 248 

National Cemetery, Antietam • -5' 

Chancellor House 260 

Capt. Chas. W. Roberts 264 

Monument at Paoli . 266 

13 



ILLUSTRATIONS— Continned 



David W. Eyre 270 

Trees Shattered by Bullets 272 

Chas. P. Keech 28c 

Lieut. William C. Dickey 282 

Meditation 288 

Henry C. Warburton 293 

Col. Benj. Brooke, 1863-1900 301 

John W. Marshall 308 

Burnside Bridge, Antietam 310 

Jos. R. Brensinger 312 

Dunker Church 318-319 

John L. Grim, 1861-1907 327 

Thomas H, Kay 335 

Gov. Samuel W. Pennypacker 340 

Statue of 124th Monument 348 

Robert M. Green, 1862-1904 361 

Survivors at Dedication of Monument 364 

Rev. J. Richards Boyle 372 




14 




"--^TUr^^-fL^^ ^^^iuC^r^ 



THE 1'2-tTH REGIMENT 
PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 



How It Was Recruited — 
The Character of the Men who Composed Its Ranks 



President Lincoln, on July 2, 1862, issued a call for three 
hundred thousand additional troops to assist in bringing the 
rebellion to a close. 

On July 7, 1862, C. P. Buckingham, Brigadier-General and 
Assistant Adjutant-General of the United States Army, sent a 
dispatch to Governor Andrew G. Curtin, requesting him to raise 
in Pennsylvania, as soon as practicable, twenty-one new regiments 
of volunteer infantry. 

In response to the call of the President, recruiting became 
active throughout all the loyal States, and on July 21st, Governor 
Curtin issued a proclamation as follows : — 




Pennsylvania ss : 

In the name, and by the authority of the State of Pennsylvania, 
Andrew G. Curtin. Governor of the said Commonwealth. 

2 17 



A PROCLAMATION. 

To sustain the Government in times of common peril l)y all his 
energies, his means and his life, if need be, is the duty of every 
loyal citizen. The President of the United States has made a 
requisition on Pennsylvania for twenty-one new regiments and the 
regiments already in the field must be recruited. Enlistments will 
be made for nine months in the new regiments and for twelve 
in the old. The existence of the present emergency is well under- 
stood. 1 call on the inhabitants of the counties, cities, boroughs 
and townships throughout our borders to meet and take active 
measures for the immediate furnishing of the quota of the State. 
I designate below the number of companies which are expected 
from the several counties in the State, trusting the support of 
her honor in this crisis, as it may be safely trusted, to the loyalty, 
fidelity and valor of her freemen. 

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State, at 
Harrisburg, this 21st day of July, in the year of our Lord, one 
thousand eight hundred and sixtv-two, and of the Commonwealth 
the eighty-seventh. 

A. G. CURTIN. 

By the Governor : 

Eli Sltfek, 

Secretary of the Coiniiioiiicealtli. 



By virtue of this proclamation three companies were rer[uired 
of Delaware County and seven of Chester County, and in these 
two counties, the 124th Regiment was almost entirely recruited. 
The enlistment of the various companies required about two weeks 
time, and had in their ranks men representative of all walks of 
life; manufacturers, merchants, professional men, mechanics, 
farmers, day laborers. Possibly no other regiment ever enlisted 
from more patriotic motives than did the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fourth. 

A few of the men had been in the three months service in 
1861, some had belonged to local military organizations, a few 
had drilled, armed with wooden imitations of guns, but the 
great majority of its members and all of its officers, with one 
or two exceptions, had never had any previous military experience. 

18 



HISTORY OK THE ONE HLWDRED AND TWENTY- 
FOURTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS. 

Fkom Notks ()1< Lieutknaxt C. D. M. I'.roomhai.i,. 

Reiiscd by Robert M. Crcoi. 

Pursuant to a call for troops made by President Lincoln, July 
2. 1862, and by proclamation of Governor Curtin, July 21, 1862, 
the 124th Regin:cnt. Penna. X'olunteers, was recruited to serve 
for a period of nine months. 

Companies A, C, E, F, G, I and K were recruited in Chester 
County, and Companies D, P and H in Delaware County. 

They rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and were 
mustered into the United States service from the 8tli to the 
1 2th of August, 1862. 

C)n August 13th the men received their uniforms, and on the 
14th were armed with Springfield riiles and other military equip- 
ments, and about sunset, under command of Senior Captain Joseph 
W. Hawley, marched to the railroad station and engaged in clean- 
ing freight and cattle cars, which had been assigned for trans- 
portation of the regiment. At i A. M. of the 15th it started over 
the Northern Central Railroad for Baltimore, arriving there at 
7 A. M. Upon leaving the train, forty rounds of amnuniitidn 
were issued to each man, and the regiment marched through the 
city to the Washington depot, leaving there at 2 P. M.. and arriv- 
ing at Washington at 6 P. j\I. Supper was furnished at a place 
called "Soldier's Rest," the meal consisting of bread and black 
cofifee ; a hint to the fastidious boys of soldiers' fare. This place 
was near the Capitol, and the regiment remained there over night. 

On the morning of the i6th Captain Hawley reported to 
Brigadier-General Silas Casey, and received orders to take the 
regiment to camp in Virginia. At 10 A. M. it marched through 
Washington over the Long liridge into \'irginia, along very 
dusty roads and under a burning hot sun to a jilace about five 
miles from Long Bridge, in sight of Washington and Alexandria, 
and partly encompassed by Forts Scott, Richardson and Albany ; 
here it encamped and in the evening Captain Hawley reported to 
General Whipple. Guards were mounted and the regular duties 
of camp life entered upon. 

19 



The next day (Sunday) visitors came from Pennsylvania and 
Washington ; and the boys refreshed themselves b}' bathing in the 
Potomac. 

The regiment was organized with Joseph W. Hawley, Colonel, 
to date from August i6th ; W. B. Waddell. Lieutenant-Colonel ; 
who, after finding the regiment incensed over not having one of 
its own members appointed, declined, and Captain Simon Litzen- 
berg, of Company B, was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel ; Lieuten- 
ant L Lawrence Haldeman, of Company D, was appointed Major; 
Joseph S. Evans, Chaplain ; William T. Haines, Quartermaster ; 
J. Carpenter Worth, of Company C, Adjutant ;Chas.W. Houghton, 
Surgeon, and Abram Harshberger and Jos. R. ALirtin, Assistant- 
Surgeons. 

The regiment was assigned to a provisional brigade under the 
command of Brigadier-General Silas Casey; and on the i8th of 
August was ordered to drill four hours a day. 

A school of instruction was instituted for the officers, and 
Captain Carroll H. Potts, Assistant Adjutant-General, was given 
charge. From the i8th to the 21st the men were instructed in 
companv and squad drills, and, at times, an effort was made at 
regimental drill. 

On the 21 St camp was moved westward about a mile to a 
small vallev, where tents were pitched and drill duties performed 
until the 24th, when it was moved two miles and a half south- 
ward, near to Fairfax Theological Seminary, and in close prox- 
imity to Forts Blenker, Ward and Bernard ; this was an elevated 
position and commanded a view of Munson's Hill to the south- 
west, and the Capitol at Washington to the north. 

At this camp the daily routine of drill, guard mounting and 
dress parade was continued with variations of picket duty from 
fort to fort at night ; the monotony was relieved by the debarka- 
tion, at Alexandria, of a part of General McClellan's army, from 
Harrison's Landing on the James River. Lieutenant Woodcock 
of Company B, having ridden out toward Fairfax, brought word 
that General Pope's army had fallen back towards Washington. 

Company and regimental drill was continued and on the morn- 
ing of the 29th, the regiment, except the camp guard, was sent 
on picket duty about two miles out on the road to Fairfax 
Court House. Heavy firing of artillery was heard from 10 A. ]\L 

20 



until night in the direction of Centreville (being the second 
battle of Bull Run). It was renewed earlv on the mornins- of 
the 30th, and continued until late in the afternoon, and was again 
renewed near sunset for about half an hour. The last tirine beine 
the action at Chantilly where the nation lost one of its most 
daring and courageous generals — the one-armed, fearless Kear- 
ney. The weather for weeks had been dry and the roads very dusty ; 
during the evening, near the close of the battle, a thunder storm 
passed over ; the noise of the thunder blending with the reports of 
the artillery. ' ' 

On August 31st the regiment was assigned to the Fifth Brigade 
of General AMiipple's division in the reserve army corps. The 
brigade was composed of the 107th N. Y., 35th IMass., and the 
124th and 125th Penna. 

On September 2d canip was moved a mile northward to a hill- 
side close to Fort Blenker. It was reported that this last move 
was made so that the 124th might reinforce the troops in the 
Fort if it should be necessary. Many wagons of Pope's army 
passed towards Alexandria. Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, Colonel 
Hartranft, of the 51st Pennsylvania, and several soldiers of the 
First Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves called on friends in the 
124th and gave the first particulars we had heard of the late 
battle. 

The next day all was conjecture in camp as to the result of the 
battle, and niglit picketing about the forts was continued until 
the morning of September 6th, when orders were received to pack 
up all superfluous baggage for shipment to Washington, so as 
to be ready to march in the afternoon. 

The regiment marched at six o'clock in the evening under 
command of Colonel Hawlev. in the direction of Arlington : en- 
route for the field of x\ntietam, as it afterward developed. 

The route was across fields (giving the roads to the artillery 
and wagons) until opposite Washington, where the road was 
taken that lay between the late residence of Confederate General 
Robert E. Lee and the Potomac ; we crossed the river on the 
Aqueduct bridge to Georgetown, passing through there about 10 
P. I\L During the march many of the men became exhausted and 
a halt was made at 2 A. M. 

The march was resumed with depleted ranks at 7 A. ]\t. of 
the 7th and continued until 11 A. ]\I., when a halt was called and 



21 



arms stacked in a shady grove, until 3 P. M. ; it was then again 
resumed and continued until 5 P. M., when the regiment arrived 
at Rockville and encamped in a potato patch ; dust everywhere. 
The regiment was now without a quartermaster and the rations 
were running short, with no wagons to haul supplies, etc. Tres- 
passes were committed upon the corn and potato fields and 
orchards, and bountifully they yielded. 

On the 8th, the 124th. together with the loth Maine, 5th 
Connecticut, 28th N. Y., 46th, 125th and 128th Penna., were 
combined and formed the First Brigade of the First Division, 
Second Corps ; the Brigade being commanded by General Samuel 
W. Crawford and the Division by General A. S. Williams. 

On the 9th, the brigade moved at i P. M., and for the next 
three days was kept on the march from morning till night. On 
*he 1 2th, the Second Corps was designated the Twelfth Corps and 
General Joseph King Fenno Mansfield was assigned to the com- 
mand. 

On Saturday, the 13th, about noon, the brigade arrived at 
Frederick City, Md., where many men and some of the officers 
went into the town without leave, causing vexation and indig- 
nation on the part of the Colonel and other officers at such a 
wanton breach of discii)line. 

The Confederates had vacated Frederick City the day before our 
arrival and our regiment encamped on ground which had evi- 
dentlv been occupied by the troops of Confederate General D. H. 
Hill as late as the night before. 

An incident occurred here worthy of notice. Shortly after the 
arrival of our division, Private B. W. Mitchell, of Company F, 
27th Indiana, (which formed a part of our division) picked up 
a piece of paper wrapped around three cigars. Upon examination 
it was found to be a special order of Confederate General Robert 
E. Lee. Mitchell and Sergeant Bloss, of the same company, took 
it to Colonel Colgrove, of their regiment, who at once carried it 
to General Williams' headquarters, and delivered it to Colonel Pitt- 
man, General Williams' Adjutant-General. 

The order was signed by Colonel Chilton, General Lee's Adju- 
tant-General, and the signature was recognized by Colonel Pitt- 
man, who had served with Colonel Chilton at Detroit. Michigan, 
prior to the war, and who was acquainted with his hand-writing. 
The order was as follows : 



22 



Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, 

September g, 1862. 

The army will resume its march to-morrow, taking the Hagerstown 
Road. General Jackson's command will form the advance, and, after 
passing Middletown with such portion as he may select, take the route 
towards Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point, and 
by Friday night take possession of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, capture 
such of the enemy as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept such as may 
attempt to escape from Harper's Ferry. 

General Longstreet's command will pursue the same road as far as 
Boonsborough, where it will halt with the reserve supply and baggage 
trains of the army. 

General McLaws, with his own division and that of General R. H. 
Anderson, will follow General Longstreet ; on reaching Middletown, he 
will take the route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess 
himself of the Maryland Heights and endeavor to capture the enemy at 
Harper's Ferry and vicinity. 

General Walker, with his division, after accomplishing the objects in 
which he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Check's Creek, ascend 
the right bank to Lovettsville, take possession of Loudon Heights, if 
practicable, by Friday morning. Keys Ford on his left and the road between 
the end of the mountain and the Potomac on his right. He will, as far 
as practicable, cooperate with General McLaws and General Jackson 
intercepting the retreat of the enemy. 

General D. H. Hill's Division will form the rear guard of the army 
pursuing the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery, ordnance 
and supply trains, etc., will precede General Hill. 

General Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the 
commands of Generals Longstreet. Jackson and McLaws, and with the 
main body of cavalry will cover the route of the army and bring up all 
stragglers that may have been left behind. 

The commands of Generals Jackson, McLaws and Walker, after accom- 
plishing the objects for which they have been detached, will join the main 
body of the army at Boonsborough or Hagerstown. 

Each regiment on the^ march will habitually carry its axes in the 
regimental ordnance wagons, for the use of the men at their encampments, 
to procure wood, etc. 

By command of Gener.\l R. E. LeK- 

R. H. Chilton, Adjutant-General. 

Major-General D. H. Hill, Commanding Division. 

The findings of this order was a stroke of fortune for McClellan, 
rarely allotted to a general in supreme command. If all the 
spies employed by the commanders in the Army of the Potomac 
and by the War Department, had reported at headquarters of 
the army at that hour, they could not have furnished the infor- 

25 



mation so much needed. The various commands of General Lee's 
army had been executing this order ahnost four days, and were 
beyond immediate recall . 

It evidently aroused General McClellan to the greatest exertion, 
for a portion of the army was put in motion that afternoon, and 
our brigade was ordered to be ready to march at daylight of the 
morning of the 14th (Sunday). 

The brigade was aroused at 3 A. AI., and before sunrise, started 
on the march through Frederick, (where, it was said, Confederate 
General Jackson attended church one week before and listened to 
the sermon of a loyal minister), thence out the turnpike road, 
where a halt was made until about 10 A. M., when it was resumed 
in a roundabout way for Turner's Gap in the Blue Ridge. 

At about 3 P. M. the brigade arrived at a point on the south 
side of a high hill from which a good view of the valley below, 
across to Turner's Gap, four or five miles distant, was had, and 
where the battle of South Mountain was being fought ; the firing 
of the artillery being plainly visible and distinctly heard. The 
Union forces under General Miles at Harper's Ferry were 
engaged at the same time, with those under Confederate General 
Jackson, and the booming of those one or two heavy guns on the 
side of Maryland Heights which the Union forces were firing, 
could be heard far more distinctly than the field guns in sight at 
South ^fountain. 

The march w^as continued, but owing to the roughness of the 
route, in climbing stone walls, rail fences and crossing ditches, the 
brigade made but slow progress, and did not reach the foot of South 
Mountain until near midnight, and then in a disjointed condition ; 
on the way, ambulances loaded with wounded were met. and one 
conveying the body of ]\Iajor-General Jesse L. Reno, who was 
killed about sunset, while watching the enemv through a glass. 

Our regiment was without tents, and the men slept on the 
porches of houses, and wherever a convenient place could be 
found. By 7 o'clock on the morning of the 15th, the stragglers 
had generally come in, and the march was resumed for a half 
mile, a halt was made until near noon, then the division moved 
through the mountain gap, arriving at Boonsborough about 3 
o'clock. The enemy had retreated from this place in the morning, 
after a skirmish between the Union Cavalry and Hill's rear guard. 
General McClellan passed the division about 2 o'clock in the after- 

26 



noon, and he was enthusiastically cheered by both officers and 
men. 

The march was continued during the afternoon, and on the way 
many Confederate stragglers were captured and some voluntarily 
surrendered. 

(Jn the morning of the K th, the entire Twelfth Corps moved 
forward, about two miles, to near Antietam Creek; (where the 
enemy was disputing the apjiroaches to that stream, and con- 
siderable cannon firing was being done on l)()th sides) where it 
halted and stacked arms under the protection of a hill that 
afiforded a safe and comfortable bivouac. Shells from the enemy's 
batteries were bursting two hundred feet in the air. 

In the evening cattle were slaughtered and fresh beef dis- 
tributed, and soon after the men laid down, General Mansfield 
received orders to cross Antietam Creek to the support of General 
Hooker on the extreme right of the Union Army. 

Williams' Division crossed the creek by the bridge at Keedys- 
ville. This movement took until near midnight. The 124th 
bivouaced near the Smoketown road ; arms were stacked and the 
men lay in a plowed field the remainder of the night, about a half 
nile from the enemy's pickets. During the latter part of the 
night an occasional shot was heard and shortly before five o'clock 
the pickets of the Pennsylvania Reserves (a half mile to the left 
and front of our regiment) commenced a scattering fire with the 
enemy, and in five minutes this had increased to a brisk skirmish, 
and in less than as many minutes more had become a wild rattle 
of musketry, then a single cannon was fired ; a shell went scream- 
ing through the air, followed by the fire of a dozen pieces of 
artillery, and the great battle of Antietam was opened. 

The proxnnity of Hooker's Corps (the Penna. Reserves) 
and of Jackson's Confederate Corps, was the cause of the sudden 
outburst of musketry fire, which in a few minutes had spread along 
the right of our army for nearly half a mile. 

As soon as the men of the 124th heard the firing, each one sprang 
to his feet, rolled up his blanket, seized his gun and awaited com- 
mand. 

The whole brigade was in close proximity. The 124th was 
assigned the extreme right of the brigade, which was on the 
right of the division and the right of the corps. 

The regiment moved at about 5 A. I\I. to the right, first by 

29 



column, for a (juarter of a mile, then by double column of com- 
pany front forward, about 50 yards, and halted for nearly an 
hour. A deployment was made which brought one company to 
the west of the Hagerstown turnpike at the northern line of Mil- 
ler's farm. Before advancing from this point, General Mansfield 
rode over to where the regiment was in line, and held a short 
interview with General Crawford, both looking earnestly south- 
eastward, where the firing was heavy, and General Mansfield said 
to General Crawford, "General, hold this woods, we are hard 
pressed in the centre." 

The halt at this place was not over ten minutes. The regiment 
advanced parallel with the pike, southward. The left companies 
and the middle companies could not see the right of the regiment 
during this forw^ard movement until Miller's spring-house was 
reached, on account of the land sloping abruptly westward. This 
forward movement was made quickly for about 500 yards, past 
Miller's house, to near the north side of the cornfield to a gutter 
or wash. 

A halt was made and knapsacks and blankets were thrown ofif 
for the purpose of enabling the men to make a charge into the 
cornfield, wdiich was occupied by Confederate General Hood's 
command of Jackson's Corps. Batteries of artillery had been 
brought to the elevated ground east of Miller's liouse, in our 
left rear. The 27th Indiana, 26. Massachusetts, 3(1 Wisconsin, 
(part of the Third Brigade), came up in our rear to the support 
of our regiment and the artillery, and while the 124th was tearing 
down the fence along the cornfield, these regiments, being on 
the higher ground, opened a rapid fire over the left of the 124th 
into the enemy in the cornfield. 

At this time the 46th Penna. joined the left of the 124th. As 
Colonel Knipe says, his regiment (46th) came through the woods, 
advanced as far as the cornfield fence and would have held the 
position "had it not been for the 27th Indiana forming in our 
rear and exposing us from a quarter unexpected," wdien he 
ordered his regiment to fall back into the woods. Excepting this 
incident, the 124th was detached from the rest of the brigade, and 
in advance of it. 

In relation to this matter. General Crawford says : "During 
this movement" (up to 6.30 A. M.) " the 124th Penna. was 
detached from my brigade by some superior order unknown to 

30 



me, and sent in advance dirough the woods on our right to Miller's 
farm, to hold that position." 

While the cornfield fence was being- torn down, a Confederate 
battery which had just been driven awa\- from the Miller barn 
to a high ridge of ground on our right flank, opened fire on the 



regmient. 



Company A passed to the west of the barn and halted, and 
the balance of the regiment advanced a short distance into the 
corn, where, at 8.45 A. M., Colonel Hawley was wounded and 
carried from the field. Lieutenant-Colonel Litzenberg succeeded 
to the command, and the advance was continued about fifty yards 
into the corn, and another halt was made ; then the rig-ht 
of the regiment was moved back a short distance so as to face 
southwest and Companies F and D were shifted bv the right 
flank across to the west side of the turnpike into a clover field 
adjoining the barn, near to which were some wheat stacks. Com- 
panies A, F and D, were thus separated from the balance of the 
regiment. 

The other seven companies advanced through the cornfield to 
a grass field near the Dunker Church, and in holding this position 
they assisted in repelling the advance attempted by the enemy 
from the West Woods. (It was about this time that General 
McClellan came to that part of the battlefield, and doubtless saw 
the three companies in the cloverfield, by the West Woods, for he 
says in his report of the battle: "The 124th Penna. \'olunteers 
were pushed across the turnpike into the woods beyond J. Miller's 
home with orders to hold the position as long as possible." ) 

While thus engaged a brigade of Union troops charged into 
the West Woods and were repulsed and driven back across the 
turnpike in such confusion, over and through the seven com- 
panies, that they were carried away in the rush to the East 
Woods. Company H and Company I succeeded in extricating 
themselves and retired behind the batteries north of the corn- 
field and soon after advanced into the cornfield and maintained 
that position until late in the afternoon. 

The three companies. A, D and F, on the west side of the turn- 
pike, advanced about a hundred yards when they became exposed 
to the enemy on the right as well as in the right front. They were 
ordered to lie down and return the fire as fast as possible. The 
enemy had a great advantage of position ; clouds obscured the 

31 



sky ; the smoke hung near the ground, and the gloom in the woods 
was so increased that it was difficuh to see one of the enemy even 
when he stepped from cover, while the Union troops could be 
distinctly seen on their elevation against the horizon. 

Perceiving they were fighting at a great disadvantage, and not 
receiving orders to advance, the men fell back to the turnpike and 
wheat stacks, where the crest of the hill and the slight bank along 
the side of the turnpike afforded some protection, and from this 
point they fired when any of the enemy appeared in sight. 

While the three companies were thus engaged, a brigade of 
Union troops crossed the turnpike to charge into the woods 
and they called on some of our men to join them. William G. 
Davidson and Elias Eckfeldt, of Company D, did so, and formed a 
file on one of the ranks. 

The brigade charged through the woods and drove the Con- 
federates out, but at the west side they were met by fresh lines of 
the enemy and were in turn driven back to the pike. 

After this repulse. Captain Yarnall marched his company (D) 
along the north side of the cornfield to a point opposite the 
batteries, and entering the corn continued southward for a hun- 
dred yards or more, and thence eastward to the edge of the East 
Wood, where he met General Williams (who had succeeded to 
the command on the death of General Mansfield), who ordered 
him to take charge of the scattered troops and form a line in the 
edge of the woods opposite the open fields in front of the Dunker 
Church, to resist an anticipated attack from that quarter. These 
other troops consisted principally of members of the regiment, 
that had become separated from the seven companies that 
previously occupied the same ground. 

The line thus formed also engaged in supporting a battery in 
the edge of this field fronting the church. 

Bloody Lane was but a short distance south of this position, and 
desperate fighting was being done there ; this created anxiety 
among our men for fear the Confederates would come up the 
steep hill on the south of the woods and flank our position ; this 
did not occur, however, and the position was held until relieved 
and the regiment re-joined. 

In this charge, Wm. G. Davidson was shot through the thigh, 
and Elias Eckfeldt was never again heard of and his resting place 
remains unknown. 

32 



In the afternoon in the East Woods, and at evening the entire 
regiment was reheved and withdrawn to the northern end of the 
same woods. 

As the sun sank behind the western hills a few shells were 
thrown from a battery above Miller's house and eliciting no replv, 
all tiring ceased ; the battle of Antietam was ended, and thousands 
of brave men had been sacrificed upon the Altar of their Country, 
the Twelfth Corps having contributed its Commander (General 
Mansfield) and 1,745 of its members. 

The morning after the battle was clear and the troops were 
early astir. Excepting a flag of truce from the enemy, for the 
purpose of burying the dead, all remained quiet. By the morning 
of the 19th it was discovered that the enemy had retreated. The 
brigade, now under command of General Knipe, was moved south- 
westward, along the East Woods, and remained there until 4 
P. M., when the entire division, under command of General Wil- 
liams, was ordered to march, and, starting at once, they passed 
through Sharpsburg about sunset, crossed Antietam Creek on 
the Burnside bridge and continued until midnight. 

Resumed march at seven on morning of 20th, and arrived on 
the mountain overlooking Harper's Ferry about noon. Finding 
no enemy, it moved down the precipitous side of the mountain 
into Pleasant Valley and encamped. The brigade remained here 
cleaning arms. etc.. until the morning of the 23d, when it was moved 
up on the west side of the mountain, and the 124th encamped on 
Bolivar Heights, 8oc- feet above the river, overlooking Harper's 
Ferry, and having a beautiful view of Shenandoah A'alley. 

While encamped here. Major Haldeman, of the 124th, made 
report of the regiment's participation in the battle of Antietam. as 
follows : 

Headquarters 124th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

Maryland Heights, September 2f„ 1862. 
Dear Sir: 

I would beg leave to report that on the morning of the 17th inst. the 
124th Regt. Penna. Vols., commanded by Col. Joseph W. Hawley. was 
ordered to the front about 7 o'clock. On reaching the extreme edge of 
the wood on the north of the cornfield, our line was formed and stationed 
m a position behind the fence. We were then ordered to advance, a 
portion of our right , e.xtending across the turnpike road and beyond the 
gram stacks. We were led in line into the cornfield about 20 paces, and 

3 .33 



GENERAL MANSFIELD. 

Joseph King Fenno Mansfield was born in New Haven, Con- 
necticut. December 22cl, 1803. At the age of fourteen, entered 
the Mihtary Academy at W^est Point and graduated in 1822. 
For two years following graduation, was an assistant to the 
Board of Engineers. In 1832 was promoted to First Lieutenant, 
and in 1838, to Captain. 

Served in iVlexican War under General Taylor and was 
brevetted Major in 1846 for- distinguished services in defence of 
Fort Brown, Texas. In September of same year was brevetted 
Lieutenant-Colonel for gallant conduct in battle of ^lonterey, 
where he received seven wounds. 

In 1847, ^"^'^^ brevetted Colonel for meritorious services at 
Buena Msta. In 1853, was appointed Inspector-General of 
Ignited States Army with rank of Colonel. In May, 1861, was 
commissioned Brigadier-General and given command of Depart- 
ment of Washington. 

On May loth. commanded a division in attack on Norfolk, and, 
after the capture of the place, was assigned to command of Suf- 
folk, Mrginia. 

After the second battle of Bull Run, was appointed on a board 
of inquiry at Washington, but, becoming impatient for active 
duty, was assigned to the command of Twelfth Corps (of which 
the 124th formed a part), assuming the duties of command on 
September 15th, 1863: was wounded on morning of the 17th, at 
Antietam. and died at i P. J\I. of same day. The body was car- 
ried that afternoon to Monocacy Junction in one of the ambu- 
lances of the 124th Regiment. 



?A 




BRIGADIl-R-GKNERAL JOSEPH KING FENNo MANSEIELD. 



ordered to halt, as we could not distinguish our own troops. It was here 
our colonel was wounded. We were then ordered to fall back to the edge 
of the cornfield and take position behind the fence, which was done in 
good order. We were again ordered to advance, when the right, advancing 
about lOo yards, received a raking fire from the enemy in the West Woods, 
which was responded to by repeated volleys from our men, but the fire 
from our left and the battery of the enemy on the right compelled us to 
again fall back to the stacks. A battery now planted on the hill between 
the East Woods and the cornfield and opposite the stacks; this portion 
of our right was ordered to its support; the balance of the regiment 
followed up the advance through the cornfield, making many successful 
charges upon the enemy, until they were also ordered back to the support 
of the batteries at the west side and near the southwest corner of the East 
Woods. The enemy's batteries were being silenced at this point; our 
regiment was ordered, about 5 P. M., to the rear of General Hancock,' with 
instructions to hold ourselves in readiness to support the batteries on the 
right. Receivng no further orders, we remained in our positions with the 
125th Penna. Vols, during the night. I am, 

Yours very respectfully, 

I. L. Haldem.\n. 

Major 124th Pciiiia. I'ols. 
Col. J. F. Knipe, 

Commanding First Brigade, First Diz-ision, Tzvclfth Corps. 

The regiment remained on duty at Bolivar Heights until the 
28th (Sunday), when, after divine service, conducted by Captain 
Yarnall, it was marched to Pleasant Valley again, and went into 
camp at foot of the mountain on very rough, stony ground. 

Many of the regiment were on the sick list, and it remained at 
this place until October 2d, when it was again marched back over 
the same mountain to a valley on the west side of Maryland 
Heights, and there went into camp. The next day, the regiment 
received their tents and knapsacks from which they had been 
separated since September 6th, in the meantime having been 
without shelter. Many friends visited the regiment at this time, 
among them the venerable Judge Haines, of West Chester ; father 
of Lieutenant Philip D. Haines, of Company G. 

From the third to the twelfth of October the resfiment was 
kept busy clearing camp and policing streets. On the 12th, Com- 
pany D, while on picket on Maryland Heights, witnessed the 
artillery firing at Edwards Ferry, where the Confederate General 
J. E. B. Stuart was crossing with his cavalry into Virginia, 
after having made a successful raid into Maryland. 



37 



( )n ( )ctober 13th Colonel Samuel 15. Thomas, in the name 
of Governor Curtin, presented the 124th with the regimental flag 
furnished by the State. Major Haldeman received it on behalf 
of the regiment. 

At this time balloon ascensions were frequent in the Shenandoah 
Valley. Several of the men died while the regiment remained 
at this camp. Among them was James B. Aitken and John 
M. Pyle, of Company D, and Charles T. W'orrall, of Company I. 

On October i8th camp was moved a half mile northward and 
nothing of importance occurred until the 24th, when the regi- 
ment was in line a half day for general inspection and was 
reviewed by Generals Slocum and Geary. 

On the 28th, after funeral services at the grave of John ^l. Pyle, 
at the foot of the mountain, the regiment again marched over 
Maryland Heights to Pleasant \'alley, and with the 125th Penna., 
123d N. Y. and the 20th Connecticut, formed a brigade under the 
command of Brigadier-General Thomas Leiper Kane. 

On the afternoon of 30th the brigade crossed the Potomac, 
passed through the old U. S. Armory Yard, by John Brown's 
Fort, through Harper's Ferry, across the Shenandoah, down the 
river road, and out into Loudon Valley and encamped, and the 
next day were mustered for pay. 

( )n Sunday, November 2d, a detachment from the regiment, 
in command of Lieutenant Strickland, was sent on a scout along 
the mottntain, and met twenty of the enemy's cavalry, upon whom 
they fired, and whom they routed in confusion. 

As the enemy passed over a distant hill it was noticed that two 
horses were without riders. 

About 9 o'clock in the evening the whole camp was thrown into 
wild excitement by a guard, at a farm-house a mile away, shoot- 
ing at a night prowler, and a picket at a bridge a half mile from 
camp, increased the alarm by firing his piece, this was taken up 
by the camp guards, and a general fire from them ran around the 
camp. 

All was confusion in a minute, men fell over one another in 
their haste to get out of their tents. Sergeants were shouting 
"Company into line!" All believed the camp was attacked by a 
guerilla band. As soon as quiet was restored, a detachment of 
twenty men from Company D was sent along the mountain road 
to ascertain the cause of the alarm, but failed to learn anything. 

38 



On the 7th the weather hecame very cold— snowed all dav, from 
9 A. M. General McClellan was relieved from commaiid and 
General lUirnside appointed Commander of tlie Army of the 
Potomac. 

On the 8th two Confederates were taken on the picket line and 
sent to brip^ade headqnarters. In the evening- a detail of one 
hnndred men was made from the regiment and placed under com- 
mand of Capt. Yarnall. and with two pieces of artillery and a squad 
of cavalry, all under command of General Kane, went up the 
valley (Loudon) seven or eight miles, to destroy, or bring in, 
some stores lately left there by Union troops. They left camp 
at dark and returned at four in the morning, having accomplished 
their mission. On the 15th. thirteen men from each company were 
detailed to assist in building forts on Alaryland Heights. 

[Note: — The following letter, written by a member of the 
124th, is copied from a Philadelphia paper.] 

Loudon Valley, December 15, 1862. 
As yon are probably aware, the brigade under command of Genera! 
Thomas L. Kane, of your city, moved southward on Thursday last, 
leaving as a garrison only the sick and a small "camp guard." Of this, 
the rebels were undoubtedly informed, and taking advantage of this state 
of affairs, they sent a detachment of White's Cavalry to commit depreda- 
tions upon and arrest stragglers from the abandoned camps. On the 
morning of the 14th, four guards who were guarding a number of tents 
in an open field about one-half mile from the camp, were surprised and 
captured by a squad of the cavalry (probably 12 in number), and the 
Rebels were firing the tents when David F. Houston, of Co. F, and si.x 
others from the 124th Penna. Vols, marched to the relief of the guards, 
and to save the property. After a few rounds without damage on either 
side, the Rebels withdrew, leaving one of their captives to our brave 
command. The bravery displayed by Comrade Houston and his men is 
worthy of the highest praise. 

Sunday, i6th. Inspection. Divine service, conducted by Capt. Yarnall. 

November 17th. About eleven o'clock at night one of the pickets on 
the mountain was wounded by bushwhackers who infested that region, 
and the regiment was called out and marched to the top of Loudon 
Mountain in the midst of a violent rain, and stationed there until the 20th. 

On the 29th, Colonel Hawley returned and assumed command of the 
regiment. The boys gave him a hearty reception, this being the first time 
they had seen him since he was wounded, at the Battle of Antietam ( Sep- 
tember 17th). The first week of December was so cold that the camp 
guards had to be relieved every hour during some of the nights. 

From the 20th of November until the 10th of December, when the 

39 



weather permitted, the men were kept at company, regimental and l)rigade 
drill, and clearing of ground for a fortified camp at the foot of Loudon 
Mountain. After much timber had been cut and dragged down the 
mountain, the whole Twelfth Corps received orders to move, on the morning 
of the loth, with three days' rations. Owing to other troops having the 
road, our brigade moved out and waited in the fields until 3.30 in the 
afternoon, when General Kane ordered them back into camp to spend the 
night. 

On the nth of December the brigade moved, at 7 A. M., up Loudon 
Valley, through the mountain gap at Hillsborough to Wheatland, and on 
the I2th continued through Leesburg, crossing Goose- Creek ; the next day 
the march took them past Gum Spring, and at u A. M. artillery firing was 
heard at Fredericksl)urg ; encampment was made for the night on the 
Fairfax and Little River Turnpike. 

On the 14th of December the march led past Chantilly, through Fairfax 
Court House, past Fairfax Station, and, crossing the Occoquan, continued 
in the direction of Stafiford Court House. At noon of the i6th we were 
ordered to return to Fairfax Station, reaching there on the evening of the 
17th after a very fatiguing march since 4 o'clock in the morning. On the 
20th, the men each received $27 bounty. 

Camp was made in a pine grove of young timber, and shelter tents were 
pitched over log basements. Dress parades and brigade drill were the 
principal diversions until the 27th, when J. E. B. Stuart, the Confederate 
cavalry leader, made a raid around the Potomiac, causing great excitement. 
The regiment was ordered to be ready to march the next morning, and 
the brigade started on the 28th in the direction of Dumfries. After 
crossing Occoquan Creek, a halt was made, and after dark Co. D was 
detached from the regiment and deployed as skirmishers. 

[NoTH. — The historian herewith inserts a copy of a letter re- 
ceived by him while in the hospital, Newark, New Jersey.] 

Camp near Fairfax Station, December 29, 1862. 
Esteemed Friend : 

Yours of the 5th came duly to hand ; I was surprised yet pleased to hear 
from you. I have inquired in almost every letter I have written home 
about you. Since we last met, I have seen a good deal of hardship. I do 
not mean to complain — it is what I expected. I have not had it as hard 
as some of the rest. My duties as commissary-sergeant entitle me to a 
great many privileges ; I have never carried a knapsack, and now I have 
a horse to ride. 

When we left you delirious under the trees at Fort Blenker, on Septem- 
ber 5th, we marched steadily until about the 20th. During that time, as 
you know, the Battle of Antietam was fought. Our regiment was in it. 
Zebley, of our company, was killed, and Colonel Hawley and Sergeant 
Knowles were wounded. 

We were in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry from September 20th until 
December loth. It is a pretty place to be, but not so nice as near Washing- 

40 



ton. We fully expected to stay at Harper's Ferry all winter and had our 
winter quarters partly erected, Init a soldier never knows where he will 
be the next hour. We were ordered to march and to take nothing but 
our knapsacks. Before we arrived here, many of the boys threw everything 
away except an overcoat, woolen and gum blanket. 

We have a new quartermaster — George Malin ; he was a private in Co. 
A. Quartermaster Haines never was with us after we left Fort Blenker. 
I have spoken to Captain Barton about your descriptive list. 

A few days ago we received our $25 bounty and $2 premium, Init we 
have not received any pay up to this time. Our regiment now numbers 
651 men. When we left you at Fort Blenker it numbered 925. 

Our regiment is very much changed since you saw it ; Captain Litzenberg 
is our lieutenant-colonel. We have a new surgeon, Houghton by name. 
Surgeon Harshberger was promoted, and joined the 176th Penna. We 
are in the Second Brigade (General Kane), First Division (General 
Williams), Twelfth Corps (General Slocum). 

I must close, as I am getting cold ; the fire has gone out. I tent with 
the quartermaster. Jake Rice is my assistant. I remain, 

Your true friend, 

Wm. p. West. 

124th Regt. P. V. 
To Robert M. Green, 

Centre Street Hospital, 
Newark, N. J. 

Oil December 29th, the brigade returned to camp and learned 
that part of the enemy's forces had passed in sight of the camp 
of the 124th, the day before. 

Regimental and brigade reviews were the principal features 
for several days, and on January 8th, at 3.30 P. M., the entire 
regiment, under command of Col. Hawley, started on a recon- 
noissance and marched until after dark. A light snow was 
falling, and, after waiting two hours, word was received from 
Brigade Headquarters to return to camp. The regiment remained 
in camp until the morning of the 19th, when the corps marched in 
the direction of Stafford Court House, and on the next day 
passed through Dumfries. During the night of the 20th, a 
violent rainstorm set in and continued all forenoon of the next 
day. The march was resumed and it proved to be the wettest 
and muddiest that the regiment had experienced up to that time. 
Artillery, caissons, wagons and ambulances stuck in the mud. 
Cannon had to be taken off the carriages and dragged through the 
mud like logs. The division made about four miles when it was 
stopped by an overflowing stream. 

4T 



Bridges had to be built, which required all nij^ht and |)art of 
next day to complete. 

The division started again at noon of the 23(1 and arrived at 
Stafford Court House the same day. 

On the 24th, while the regiment was out on drill. General 
Slocum and staff came along the road near by. General Kane 
ordered the regiment into line and Slocum was invited to witness 
the manoeuvres and the review. 

On the 26th the men were paid to November i, 1862. On the 
28th, snow fell to the depth of seven inches. 

On Sunday, February ist, the regiment was inspected by 
Lieutenant-Colonel Hawley, of the 3d Wisconsin V^olunteers, who 
reported it unfit for duty. The inspection was made soon after 
the regiment had returned from a long, wet and muddy march, 
in which they had been exposed to a snowstorm for two davs, 
so that the men had but little chance to burnish guns and accoutre- 
ments and brush clothing. On the 8th, Harry W. Wilkinson, iifer 
of Company D, died. His mother was with him wdien the end 
came. 

On Washington's Birthday snow fell to the depth of 12 to 15 
inches. A part of the regiment was out on picket without shelter, 
except such as the boughs of trees afforded. On March 5lh the 
division was reviewed by General Williams, and after the review 
General Kane ordered the 124th and 125th to the parade grounds, 
where he addressed them by saying that he understood a certain 
officer had said, "he felt sorry for General Kane, for the General 
must feel ashamed at having a part of his brigade condemned." 
The General then said, "I say, here, before the honorable officers 
of the 124th and 125th Pennsylvania Regiments, I am not ashamed 
of you. You have done too much work in the dark, too much work 
in the mud, building and making roads, and have marched too 
much in the mud and slush for me to be ashamed of you. I am 
your General, and as your General I will see justice done you 
yet." He thereupon put spurs to his horse and, with his staff 
officer, Thomas Leiper, left the field, followed by the cheers of the 
whole command. 

On the nth camp was moved from the muddy hillside (which 
it had occupied since the 23d of January), to a hilltop near Kane's 
Landing at Acquia Creek. 

On the 17th General Williams reviewed the brigade. And 

42 



on tlie i8th General Slocum reviewed the division, and on the 
19th General Hooker reviewed the Twelfth Corps about as 
quickly as it was possible to do it. He rode a white horse at a 
very rapid rate. 

On the 22d (Sunday) ]\Iajor Buckingham, of the 20th Con- 
necticut, inspected the regiment and made a very favoral^le report 
of it. 

On the 24th, the 124th and 125th Penna. moved to Acquia 
Creek Landing. Here another brigade was formed for General 
Kane, consisting of the 109th, iiith, 124th and 125th Penna. 
Regiments and the brigade was assigned to Geary's Division. 
On April loth, the Twelfth Corps was reviewed by President 
Lincoln. 

From this date until the 25th of April the brigade w^as kept 
busy, clearing ground for camp, repairing and building a rail- 
road about the Landing and in being schooled in various military 
movements ; Companies C and D were especially taught the 
skirmish drill by General Kane, with the extra manoeuvres he had 
devised. 

On the 25th orders were given to prepare for a march. 

On the 26th everything pertaining to a soldier's wardrobe was 
put in order and eight days' rations were distributed. 

On the morning of the 27th, at 7 o'clock, the brigade moved 
promptly, and passed Stafford Court House at 11 o'clock, and 
after a march of 16 miles, halted for the night; the march was 
resumed next day, and the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps reached 
Kelly's Ford in the evening. The Eleventh Corps crossed the 
river at 10 at night, and the Twelfth, next morning. The route 
was now for Germania Ford, on the Rapidan. and by rapid marcli- 
ing that place was reached at 4 P. AL ; here the Twelfth Corps 
halted for coffee ; the Eleventh Corps crossed the river and the 
Twelfth followed after dark. 

On the 30th the march was resumed on the plank road leading 
to Fredericksville. The Twelfth Corps arrived at Chancellorsville 
at I P. I\L, and captured a company of the enemy who were throw- 
ing up intrenchments. Line of battle was formed in a woodland 
of small, scrubby timber interlaced with green briars which 
formed a perfect wilderness. The two corps having cleared the 
south bank of the Rappahannock of the enemy, the balance of 
Hooker's forces ( except Sedgwick's Corps, yet at Fredericks- 

43 



burg, it having crossed below the town) were enabled to cross at the 
United States Ford. In the evening General Hooker established his 
headquarters at the Chancellor house and congratulated the army 
on the great success so far achieved. 

The 124th was on the right of Kane's Brigade and on the 
right of the plank road which branched off the main road leading 
to Fredericksburg. Next day the bushes and small trees were 
cut and bent over about two and one-half feet from the ground 
along the front of Geary's Division and the division was advanced 
a mile. 

The 109th Penna. Volunteers, together with Companies C and D 
of the 124th, were advanced in skirmish line another mile. The 
enemy were found advancing and the division was ordered back 
to the main line. 

The 124th was kept in the rear by General Kane, in a clearing, 
after repeated orders had been sent by Geary to bring the regi- 
ment away, so that when orders were received to march, it was at 
double quick, out a half mile, along a wagon road, northward to 
the plank road, thence westward three-quarters of a mile to the 
main line. At the junction of these two roads the enemy's 
skirmishers were seen firing at the mounted men guarding that 
point. After nearly the whole regiment was out of breath from 
double-quick step for so long a distance, loaded down with 
a week's provisions and 60 rounds of ammunition, it was turned 
into the bushes, and Company D was ordered to deplov as 
skirmishers, but this order was soon after countermanded and the 
company recalled. The regiment remained stationed in its original 
line, and the men threw up a moderate breastwork by digging 
with their bayonets and using tin plates as shovels. 

General Geary gave orders to General Green ( whose brigade 
joined to the right of the 124th) to have his men intrench, but 
he complained that they had no intrenching tools, and Geary 
and Kane brought Green up to the 124th to show him how intrench- 
ments were being thrown up. Geary remarked to him, "See 
here. General, they are digging with their bayonets and scooping 
it up with cups and plates." In a few minutes picks and shovels 
arrived and intrenching proceeded more rapidly. During the day 
Confederate General Lee sent General Stuart around on the 
extreme right of Hooker's Corps, to ascertain its location and 
protection. 

44 



Early in the morning of May ist a few shells from Geary's 
Division, thrown where the enemy was snpposed to be, in front, 
was the only event that broke the quietness. About the same 
time Confederate General Jackson's forces moved around" one 
to two miles in front of the Twelfth, and three miles out from the 
Eleventh Corps, and formed in three lines, and came down about 
sunset on Howard's flank, and turned his whole line. 

General Sickles took a division and charged on the enemy's 
column and drove them ofif, but they only moved out on a wider 
detour. 

General Pleasanton has the credit of staying the enemy's 
advance for the time with 22 pieces of artillery ; unaided, except 
by a gallant charge of some companies of the 8th Penna. Cavalry. 

After the break of the Eleventh Corps, Pleasanton, who had 
been out with General Sickles, came back to the main line to find 
the right in full flight, except two brigades that held the enemy 
m check for a little while, until their lines were somewhat 
adjusted. 

General Pleasanton soon succeeded in getting one battery in 
position, in front of an open space two hundred yards in width, 
and ordered the 8th Penna. Cavalry to charge. They were led 
into the woods, and then by column in a wild charge along a 
cart road in which it happened was a line of the enemy. 
This route brought them in a clearing, wdiere they received the 
open fire of a line of the enemy and many of the command fell, 
but this charge of five hundred horsemen staggered the whole 
Rebel line and enabled Pleasanton to get two batteries and ten 
other guns into position. 

The enemy was in the opposite w^oods, but they soon came out 
displaying three Union flags (which the Eleventh Corps had 
dropped- ; this ruse was Cjuickly unveiled and they received such 
a volley from the batteries Pleasanton had placed in position, that 
they again took shelter in the woods. Twice afterward they tried 
to take these guns (once coming, it is said, within fifty yards of 
them ) . but they were driven back with fearful slaughter. 

General Sickles' force was now arriving, and soon a new 
position was taken at the upper end of the cleared land which 
extended down in front of the Chancellor House. Forty lunettes 
were thrown up during the night and General Sickles had many 
pieces of artillery behind them before morning, and his corps well 

45 



posted. This position was about a quarter of a mile to the right 
rear of the position, held by the 124th, and a quarter of a mile from 
the spot where Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was killed 
the evening before. 

The fighting on the morning of May 2(1 raged with terrific 
fury around this point. General J. E. B. Stuart ( who succeeded 
Stonewall Jackson) urged the Confederates on. They were 
repulsed repeatedly. And General Sickles, with 18,000 men, 
held his position as long as the ammunition lasted. Confederate 
General Mahone says, "The Yankees fought like devils." 

Sickles sent repeated word to headquarters that his ammunition 
was nearly exhausted ; receiving no reply he sent his chief of 
stafif, who found that General Hooker had been wounded by a 
shell. He soon partially recovered and sent orders to Sickles to 
retire across to the north side of the road. This was done, and in 
the movement the artillerymen lost forty-five horses, but the 
harness and all the cannon, except one disabled gvm, were saved. 
Geary's Division was now ordered to fall back, and General 
Green's Brigade led ofif, and followed by Kane's Brigade, they 
passed the Chancellor House and went into the woods. 

Scarcely had they reached the woods when General Hooker con- 
cluded to hold the point, just vacated, and General Geary was 
ordered to retake the intrenchments, Hooker promising to sup- 
port him on the right. Geary looked about him and could find 
only one brigade, but the men hearing Hooker's order gave a 
cheer and retook the woods. A messenger arrived telling Geary 
to hold on a little while. Geary returned the reply, "Tell the 
General I cannot stay here ten minutes." After waiting a few 
minutes and seing no signs of support, he brought the brigade out 
and the battle was virtually ended on this part of the field. 

/Vnother line was now formed north of the pike, but excepting 
a half dozen shells, which were thrown into the regiment about 
I o'clock, this was the last fire the 124th was subjected to. 

At ten o'clock in the evening the regiment was moved a mile 
farther north, and, after considerable marching and retracing, 
finally settled for the night. 

Next morning the 124th and the 125th Regiments were moved 
farther towards the river, in the direction of the United States 
Ford. 

On the morning of the 5th, at 2 o'clock, rations were distributed 

46 



to the regiment, and the day was spent in cutting trees, carrying 
logs and building breastworks. A violent thunderstorm, at 5 
P. M., stopped work. 

Tents were soon pitched, but after the men had lain about 
an hour, they were aroused quietl}- and told to pack up. The 
brigade was kept standing until half past three in the morning, 
when a start was made through the mud on a quick-step march 
for the river. 

The regiment made good time on that dull morning and 
reached the river at daylight, crossed on pontoons, and con- 
tinued for two or three hours, when a halt was made for coffee. 
Encamped for the night at 5 P. ^I. 

( )n the /th arrived at Stafford Court House, at 11 A. M., 
\\here orders were given for the Twelfth Corps to return to their 
old camps. General Slocum made a speech to the officers and 
men telling them they had done all that had been required of 
them. The regiment arrived at the old camp about 4 o'clock. 
Tired and footsore they remained here until Sunday, Alav loth. 
when General Slocum reviewed the division and bade the 124th 
and 125th Regiments of Pennsylvania \'olunteers good-bye. 

The next morning these two regiments marched to the landing 
at the mouth of Acquia Creek, and the 124th boarded the steam- 
boat John A. Warner, and after a pleasant ride up the Potomac, 
arrived at Washington at i P. J\I., and in an hour after they were 
on their way by railroad to Baltimore, reaching there at about 
nine in the evening. 

The regiment marched through the city without incident, and 
the night was spent in the cars of a waiting train. 

On the afternoon of the next day they pitched tents in Camp 
Curtin. at Harrisburg. and went to work making out muster rolls. 

On Sunday morning, May 17th. the regiment was formed in 
line, and Lieutenant Chas. D. j\I. Broomhall. on behalf of the 
regiment presented Colonel Hawley with a handsome gold watch, 
on the inside case of which is inscribed : A tribute of respECT TO 

COLONEL JOSEPH W . HAWLEV, FROM THE ENLISTED MEN OF THE 
I24TH REGT. PENNA. VOLUNTEERS. ^L\V I/, 1863. 

On the evening of the 17th. the members of the regiment pres- 
ent were paid oft' and discharged, and on the following day were 
brought to West Chester. Pa., where they received a hearty wel- 
come by the citizens, the home soldiery ami the militar_\- cadets. 

47 



T- 



'^'•est Cbeir-"'- oaper. i^suei siiortly after the recepdon, pttfa- 
die i "Z T'T'err^ and report: — 

h-:vj:e again l 

: cured tu dte t^jtk. Rcgim^Ttx. P. F. 
"-•el wrdcome Bcme. brave scifiers 
--. oar kindreii sprriis glow I 
Ye ha-Te gnarded as diDjag&: dan^r 

la oar Xarion:'? cfirefC wee 
Tliroa^ die iatanm. wtdi its ticwers. 

Thrr^agfi the w L at er, c&ill and Lone, 
Efaue we watdied tfrroagfc weary tiotrrs — 
Welcome- aoldiers. welcome heme. 

I/Ed ftcpes. oar fear?- oar sorrows^ 

AEL the sad. areweCs were said. 
Trembling Ie;?t tiie new to-morrow 

Bring: the tLdmgS- "fee is dead.'* 
\Miere t&e bayonets are gleaming- 

To t&e forest lone retreat. 
Hcptnj^ fijarirr^ Longing, dreamm^ 

Have we paced t£re 5<:Ldier'5 beat. 

Praying in t&e fessmiine bowers. 

"Xeatit t6e soft ligtit of tire moon- 
Throngfr t&e Lon^ sdil mbdnigbt boars. 

In tfce Lone deserteii n:om. 
^lien the wintry lights are bar rrirr ^ 

F alling - slow the pattering: rain. 
M<:st oar hearts are deeply yearning 

For oar brr^diers home again. 

One by one tie Leaves were talTnTg 

In the chrELy autirmn breath. 
One by one our Loved were Lying 

In the peacrfd arms of dearh. 

- we gave then. — fathers- brothers^ 
■ -t to "do or die.."^ 

.. ,, .. ..c ...::^j^n of weeping mothers 
Pierceti the bLoe depths ot the sky. 

Home again I thrice welcome soldiers. 

Wijm and weary with the &ay ! 
Home agTiJTT, brave-hearted warrrors. 

Fn:m TOur camp fires or away! 
Hark! the forest binis are singing 

tn their sweia:. magnetic tone 

- -•: .i_ - .-"r are ringing 
v\' eiconxe ■i<:L<iiers- welciime homer 



There are tear? thai blind wiih gladness. 

Many feet rough-shod with care. 
There are melting tones of sadness 

Borne upon the balmy air: 
Ye have come, but some may never 

Greet our longing eyes to-day — 
They have crossed the rolling river. 

And we only watch and pray. 

Others, Oh. my brothers, brothers '. 

Share the soldier's care and pain — 
Guard them, our protecting Father. 

Glad our weeping eyes again. 
WTien a thousand bells are ringing 

Freedom "neath Thy starlit dome 
And a million voices singing 

Welcome, soldiers, welcome home 1 

Faxxie F.mrfield. 
West Chester. Mav i8, i86^ 



A GR-\XD WELCOME HO.ME. 
The Return of the 124TH. 

The reception given to the 124th Penna. Regiment, composed 
of men of Chester and Delaware Counties, on Mondav. was all 
that could be desired by soldiers and citizens. West Chester was 
ablaze with the Red, White and Blue. The grand old ensign 
of our nationality floated in ever^ quarter of the town, and as 
these flags rippled and rattled in the fresh wind, they seemed to 
catch up the glad inspiration of the heans of those over whom they 
so gaily floated. The loyal women — may the rich blessings of 
Heaven forever descend upon them — were astir in the earlv morn- 
ing, and they prepared a repast for the brave boys, worthv of their 
generous and s>Tnpathizing hearts. The market house was a 
spread from one end to the other, and it bore up such a substantial 
and plentiful supply of good things as would have e.xciied the 
palate of an epicure. 

The procession, under the efficient Chief Marshalship of Cap- 
tain William Apple, was quite imposing. It was led by Beck's 
Philadelphia Brass Band, playing inspiring music — then came the 
Marshal and his aides, mounted, with citizens on horse-back — then 
the Burgess. School Board, Officers of the Union League, and 

4 49 





Flag of the ]24Th. 

Presented to the Regiment October 13, 1862. 

By Governor Andrew G. Curtin. 

The above illnstration shows its tattered condition when the Regiment 
returned. 



other citizens on foot ; then the fire companies with their engines 
and hose carriages gayly decked with wreaths of evergreens and 
spring flowers ; then \'okmteers who had previously returned, 
next a battery of six brass field pieces from Col. Hyatt's Military 
Academy, manned by the Cadets of that establishment ; then 
Wyer's finely drilled Academic Cadets ; then, preceded bv the 
Coatesville Ih-ass Band, came the great and attractive feature of 
the procession, the soiled and weather-beaten men of the 124th, 
fresh from their perilous position in the late fight at Chancellors- 
ville, Col. Hawley and his staff of regimental officers riding at 
the head of the regin:ent. The streets along the line were crowded 
with spectators, while the balconies of the hotels and windows 
of private residences were filled with ladies waving their hand- 
kerchiefs and smiling a glad welcome to their soldier friends, 
who returned their salutations with the wildest and heartiest 
cheers. The procession halted in front of the residence of our 
townsman, David ^^deconkey, Esq., from the steps of which Judge 
William Butler delivered the following brief, but eloquent and 
touching, speech of welcome, which w-as responded to by the 
soldiers with shouts of grateful appreciation : — 

"Soldiers : I am here, as the representative of these people, to welcome 
yon to yonr homes. I have no language fitting on this occasion — no words 
which will express the feelings that swell our hearts. At a dark, sad hour, 
after rehellion had raised the parricidal arm, when it was dripping with 
the blood of the patriot soldier, and knocking at the very gates of the 
Capitol, you, turning your backs upon the peaceful enjoyments of home, 
marched with unfaltering step to the battlefield. Untrained, inexperienced 
in the new and severe duties which were thus cast upon you, on the banks 
of the Potomac you met the insolent foe, flushed with the triumph ot 
recent victory, and there at Antietam you proved yourselves to be soldiers 
— soldiers worthy to have been born within the hallowed precincts of 
Valley Forge and Brandywine ! Since that time you have made long and 
weary marches, have suffered many privations, and endured severe toil. 
And now you are just from the gory field of Chancellorsville, where you 
assisted to inflict upon the enemy the severest punishment he has yet 
received. 

"During all your absence we have watched — looked after you with 
anxious, paternal eyes. O, with what solicitude did we await the tidings 
from Antietam! It was your first battle; but yesterday j'ou had been 
called from the peaceful occupations of rural life, unaccustomed to camp, 
and unused to the terrilile scenes of the battlefield. But when the message 
came, it brought us tidings of your gallantry, and filled our hearts with 
gratitude and joy; we thanked Almighty God that He had nerved your 

51 



arms and strengthened }'our hearts, had enabled you to stand hrni amid 
the shock of I)attle, and to cover yourselves with unfading honor. 

"But, soldiers, there are some who went out with you whom I do not 
see. They are not present to hear our greeting. But, O, God! in this 
moment of joy they are not forgotten; they have had our warmest tears, 
and their memories are enshrined in our inmost hearts. They have 
achieved immortal fame ; they are martyrs in the cause of human rights ; 
they have become the seed from which liberty will reap an abundant 
harvest; their example, the recollection of their virtues, their deeds and 
their sacrifice, will raise up armies in her cause; their graves are shrines, 
over which we, with you, will pledge ourselves, our lives, and all we 
have of earthly hope, in support of the great cause for which they died. 

"Again, soldiers, in the name of these people, I welcome you to your 
homes in our midst ;, with the prayer that .vour future lives may be pros- 
perous and happy, the government which you so deeply love may prevail 
over all its enemies, that you and all men may here enjoy the blessings 
of the free and benign institutions which we now possess, and which have 
made this Nation the wonder of mankind throughout the world. 

"In the language of the poet : 

"Warm welcome home, ye noble Northern band, 
We bid you welcome with the heart and hand. 
Always our dear, but now our dearest ones. 
Our closest kindred — fathers, brothers, sons. 
Warm welcome, soldiers, howso'er you come, 

Whether you keep step to the stirring drum. 
Or, maimed and feeble, faltering and slow. 
Sad victims of the contest and of the foe. 
The dear survivors shall have love and fame — 
The loyal dead a consecrated name ! 
Nor only now, for after years shall tell 
The story of your deeds and triumphs well. 

The generations that are yet to be. 
With glowing eyes our country's flag shall see, 
Emblem of joy, pride, glory and success. 
Without one stripe erased, one star the less, 
As all its dazzling hues and dots expand 
From sea to sea o'er one united land. 
Shall canonize your memories late and long. 
Subjects of eloquence and themes of song. 

Martyrs and patriots, whose deaths sublime, 
Have made our Union holy for all time." 

Judge Townsend Haines had also prepared an address of wel- 
come, which he intended to deHver at the close of Judge Butler's 
remarks, but the soldiers being tired and weary with their ride 

52 



from Harrisbnrg and their long march in procession, he decHned 
to deUver it, but he kindly furnished us a copy for publication, 
with which we conclude our account of a day long to be remem- 
bered by all loyal men and women who participated in its inspiring 
ceremonies. The soldiers immediately marched from Mr. 
Meconkey's to the market house, where our noble-hearted women 
had prepared for them a collation worthy of their generous im- 
pulses, and which was heartily enjoyed by the gallant officers and 
men of the 124th. 

Judge Haines' address is as follows: — 

"Soldiers op the Union : Some nine months ago you were citizens of 
Chester and Delaware Counties, pursuing the ordinary employments of 
civil and social life, and enjoying the endearments of home, of kindred 
and friends. At the call of the Natio'nal Government, attacked by traitors 
who threatened its overthrow, you took up arms in its defense, and, 
leaving your peaceful pursuits, hastened to its rescue. The period of your 
service having expired, and an honorable discharge having been granted 
to you, once more you tread the hallowed soil of freedom amidst the 
memories of bygone years. If words of anguish at your separation from 
home fell upon your ears, you cannot fail to notice the tears of joy which 
greet your return. 

"You do not, however, present yourselves to us in the same character 
in which you left us. The 124th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, is 
indeed before us, but there are openings in its columns, which speak of 
disease and battles, of wounds and death. Climate, exposure, fatigue, 
and the bullets of the rebellious foe have thinned your ranks, and, 
although yet strong in numbers, there are aching hearts among us, who 
might look in vain for cherished sons, brothers, and friends who went 
forth with you, but do not witness your return. 

"In another aspect your characters are changed — you have proved your- 
selves, on the battlefield and in the camp, lovers of your country, attached 
to the National Government, and resolutely devoted to the Union and 
the Constitution. Yours has been no lip service, no home bravado, seeking 
popularity for temporary profit and civil honors, but a service of nobler 
aims and higher aspirations, willing to risk life in defense of republican 
institutions and American liberty. You went forth to defend that Union 
which your ancestors had cemented, that National Constitution which 
their wisdom had formed, that problem of free government which they 
had entrusted to your keeping, and you have nobly risked your lives in 
defense of these immortal principles. 

"The world has witnessed innumerable wars. In all wars, the oppressed 
and down-trodden have struggled against the oppressor, and human 
arteries in all countries have been drained of their life-blood in the 
support of human rights. The records of mankind compose a history of 

53 



luinian slaughler, wIktc inlelligcnce and genius, learning and piety, 
domestic repose and general Ijenevolence have Ijeen indiscriminately 
butchered to swell the ephemeral renown. The war in which you have 
been engaged, presented, and yet presents, features which no former conflict 
ever disclosed. You have not been engaged in an endeavor to overthrow a 
government or to establish human rights, but to support free institutions 
which are reared on the basis of enlarged political and civil liberty, and 
which guarded under a v.'ritten Constitution a scheme of rational freedom 
such as had never been equaled or thought -of in former ages, and which 
had been considered an impracticaljle theory. You went forth from your 
peaceful homes to defend a country which had for almost a century spread 
over its citizens, with a lavisli hand, all the blessings which civil and 
political government can bestow. You have witnessed, under the influence 
of Constitutional freedom, every social interest promoted; equality of 
rights secured; the onward step of civilization and Christianity advanced; 
and the whole of those elements which constitute wdiolesome progress 
regulated and harmonized ; and you have seen the government to whose 
wisdom and justice these countless blessings belong, fiercely attacked, its 
overthrow attempted, its legitimate rights trampled under foot, in order 
that infidels to God and to freedom, to justice and to liberty should rule 
and ruin with despotic will. It was this Government you went forth to 
defend, and these enemies to the human race that called you to arms. 
The malcontents of the Southern States had but a slight grievance. They 
had no fault to find with the Government, for the system whereon it was 
founded was of their own selection; they could not complain of its 
administration, for it had been substantially administered liy themselves; 
but they saw in the onward march of enlightened civilization, in the 
practical operation of free principles, the certain, inevitable destruction of 
their peculiar form of social existence. They did not, therefore, rebel 
against the Government nor the administration of the Government, Ijut 
their conflict was against the wholesome progressive principles of the 
human race. To strike at these they were under the necessity of over- 
throwing the government which made them the foundation stone of its 
structure. Under the influence of a sound social system, the Xorth held 
out to all nations an example of thriving industry, of largely increasing 
population and general prosperity, while the South stood still amidst its 
terrible desolation. This was the grievance — and the only grievance of 
which these Southern traitors had to complain. They made war against 
a fundamental law of nature which provides by the gradual progress of 
intelligence for the emancipation from ignorance, barbarism and idolatry, 
and to make the conflict efYectual, the destruction of American liberty 
became a necessity. In the fullness of their hate of the logical destiny of 
human existence, they resolved that sooner than abandon their pernicious 
social system they would inaugurate a scheme of universal carnage, out 
of which they hoped this glorious country would emerge with its industries 
paralyzed, its prosperity destroyed, its energies relaxed, and its convictKins 
in the wisdom of republican freedom abandoned. It was a war of this 
natiu-e that induced you to leave your homes, to buckle on your armor, 

54 



and to face death on the battlefield. Your countrymen will kjng remember 
your valor, your fatigue, and, above all, your love of country, your manly 
devotion to the Government and the principles whereon it is founded. 

"It is true, the war still rages. The foe to free principles is yet in the 
field. Your commanding general, however, has noticed, in a public order, 
his appreciation of your efforts and devotion, and directs that this order 
shall be promulgated to the troops with his best wishes for their welfare. 
This expression of feeling from such an officer as General Hooker, the 
patriot, the soldier, the commanding general who, from personal observa- 
tion, knows how his regiments fight, is no faint praise. It will endure. 

"One thing, however, you and your comrades in arms have certainly 
achieved, although the war is not ended— you have thus far saved the 
Government of the country. The Stars and Stripes yet float from the 
dome of the National Capitol, and the free States of the Union have not 
been visited by the foot of the destroyer. We, your fathers, brothers, 
sons, mothers and sisters, knowing that you stood between us and the 
enemy, have pursued our ordinary business in peace and have slept 
soundly. The homes you left still stand, with their decorations and 
adornments; the groves and the green fields around you have not been 
wasted nor overrun by the embittered foe, for your valor has shielded 
them from harm. Their richness and verdure belong to you, for you have 
saved them from desolation. 
"Soldiers of the Union, we thank you — from our hearts we thank you !" 

At the close of the feast in the market house, it soon became 
evident that the boys were anxious to proceed to their homes, to 
greet their loved ones from whom they had so long been sep- 
arated — they shook hands and parted ; some never to meet again. 
Many of them re-enlisted and joined military organizations in 
distant fields, some to fall a prey to the enemy's bullets at Chat- 
tanooga, some to help capture Fort Fisher, some to accompany 
Sherman from Atlanta to the sea, others to pass through the 
Wilderness and dreadful Cold Harbor, and be with Grant at Appo- 
mattox. The majority of the regiment, after a few weeks sojourn 
at home, were again called upon to assist in driving the enemy 
from our own State, and, under command of Col. Hawley, they 
were sworn in to the United States service and became the 29th 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Alilitia, to serve throughout 
the threatened emergency. 



:io 



RECORD OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH 

REGIMENT. 

(Copied from Bates' History of Pennsylvania Volunteers.) 

Seven companies of the 124th Regiment, A, C, E, F, G, I and K were 
recruited in Chester County, and three, B, D, and H, in Delaware 
County. They rendezvoused at Camp Curtin near Harrisburg, but before 
an organization could be effected, they were ordered to Washington, 
and proceeded thither on the 12th of August, 1862, under command 
of the senior captain, Joseph W. Hawley. Upon their arrival, they 
went into camp near Fort Albany, two miles southeast of the Capital, 
and on the 17th a regimental organization was effected, with the following 
field officers : Joseph W. Hawley, of Chester County, colonel ; Simon 
Litzenberg, of Delaware County, lieutenant-colonel ; I. Law. Haldeman, 
of Delaware County, major. 

On the 7th of September the regiment was ordered to Rockville, 
Maryland, where, upon its arrival, it was assigned to the First Brigade, 
First Division, of the Eleventh Corps. Having been but little more than 
three weeks recruited, and most of this time having been given to change 
of camps, requiring heavy details for fatigue duty, little attention had been 
given to drill, when, on the afternoon of the Qtli, it was ordered upon the 
march to meet the enemy. Crossing South Mountain on the evening of 
the 15th, it followed up the retreating foe to the banks of Antietam Creek, 
where he was found strongly posted. As the regiment moved rapidly in 
advance of the trains, rations in haversack soon became exhausted. 
Fresh beef was delivered during the evening of the i6th, but scarcely had 
it been received when the regiment was ordered into line, and moved 
rapidly to the support of General Hooker, in command of the right wing 
of the army. "It was ordered to the front," says Major Haldeman, in his 
official report, "at 7 A. M. On reaching the extreme edge of the woods 
on the east side of the cornfield, our line was formed and stationed in a 
position behind the fence. We were then ordered to advance, our right 
extending across the road, and beyond the grain-stacks. We were led 
in line into the cornfield about twenty paces, and ordered to halt, as we 
could not distinguish our own troops. We were then ordered to fall back 
to the edge of the cornfield, and take position again behind the fence, 
which was done in good order. We were again ordered to advance, when 
the right, after proceeding about 100 yards, received a raking fire from 
the enemy in the woods, which was responded to by repeated volleys from 
our men ; but the fire from our left, and from a battery of the enemy on 
the right, compelled us again to fall back to the stacks. A battery was 
now planted on the hill, between the wood and the cornfield, opposite the 
.stacks, and the right wing of the regiment was ordered to its support. 
The left wing followed up the advance through the cornfield, making 
successful charges upon the enemy, until it was also ordered to the support 
of the batteries. The enemy's guns were silenced, and at 3 P. M. the 
regiment was ordered to the rear, where it was directed, by General 
Hancock, to remain in readiness to support batteries upon the right ; but 
not being required, it bivouacked upon the field during the night." The 

56 



loss in tliis engagement was 50 killed and wounded. Lieutenant Isaac 
Finch received a mortal wound, from which he died on the 20th of October. ' 
Colonel Hawley was among the wounded. 

On the day following the battle, the regiment was employed in burying 
the dead, and on the 19th started for Pleasant Valley, reaching it on the 
20th, after a severe march. It was subsequently posted on Maryland 
Heights, but again returned to its old camp at Pleasant Valley, where it 
was transferred to a brigade commanded by General Kane. On the 30th 
of October, Kane's Brigade was ordered to Loudon Heights. On the 8th 
of November a reconnoissance was made, up the valley, by a detachment 
of the regiment consisting of 100 men, with two pieces of artillery, which 
returned at daylight on the following morning, bringing in abandoned 
stores of the enemy. In consequence of the alarm of the pickets on the 
mountain, on the night of the i6th, the regiment was ordered, with a 
portion of the brigade, to the support of a battery posted thereon, remain- 
ing until the 19th. The heavy guns which had been mounted on Maryland 
Heights sufficiently commanding the position, the garrison was relieved, 
and returned to camp. Whilst here, drill and discipline were studiously 
prosecuted. On the loth of December, upon the eve of the movement 
upon Fredericksburg, the Twelfth Corps, which had been held in the 
neighborhood of Harper's Ferry, was ordered forward, and by forced 
marches over almost impassable roads and swollen streams, in the bleak 
wintry weather, arrived across the Occoquan on the 15th. The fighting 
at Fredericksburg being over, it was ordered to recross the Occoquan on 
the 17th, the regiment returning to Fairfax Station. On the 28th it was 
again put upon the march to meet Stuart's Cavalry, but failed to find it. 
On the 8th of January the brigade made a reconnoissance to the vicinity 
of Wolf's Run Shoals, returning without encountering opposition. On 
the 19th the brigade again broke camp, and, crossing the Occoquan, joined 
with the army in Burnside's second campaign, and after toiling painfully 
through the mud and under drenching rains, the trains and artillery being 
moved only by the most vigorous efforts, it finally rested at Stafford Court 
House, the campaign having been abandoned. 

On the 21 st of March, the 124th, and the 125th, which had been brigaded 
with it, were transferred to Geary's Division of the Twelfth Corps, General 
Kane being transferred with them and taking command of the brigade to 
which they were assigned. At daylight of the 27th of April, the regiment, 
with eight days' rations, marched on the Chancellorsville campaign. Crossing 
the Rappahannock in rear of the Eleventh Corps, the Twelfth moved on to 
Germania Ford, where its progress was impeded by the troops in advance, 
and did not reach the Chancellor House until 3 P. ^I. of the 30th. Line 
of battle was immediately formed, the position of the regiment falling in 
the right wing of the corps. On the following morning. May ist, the 
l)rigade advanced, and soon encountered the enemy's pickets, pushing them 
back into the woods beyond. Having attained a position considerably in 
advance of the main line, its safety was much endangered by a tlank 
movement of the enemy, and it was withdrawn to the original position of 
the previous evening, where, during the night, it was busily employed in 
throwing up breast-works, being compelled, for want of intrenching tools, 

57 



av- 



to use bayonets and tin plates. During the early part of the following d 
the enemy shelled the line at intervals, and at 3 P. M. the brigade was 
again ordered to advance, the regiment moving along the Fredericks1)urg 
Plank Road, and forming line of battle in the woods, where the enemy, 
concealed from view, had fortified. Unable to move him from his pi^sition, 
the brigade fell back, and at 5 o'clock returned to the breast-works, reach- 
ing them just as the broken troops of the Eleventh Corps came pouring 
in froni the extreme right. Geary's Division was at once faced, under a 
heavy artillery fire, to meet the threatened storm, and succeeded in holding 
its position until 10 on the morning of the 3d, wdien the enemy, having 
outflanked it on the right, compelled it to fall back to a second line of 
defense which had been taken up, more contracted, and easily held. On 
the 6th the regiment recrossed the river, and returned to its camp at 
Acquia. On the gth, the term of service having expired, it was relieved 
from duty, and returned to Harrisburg, where it was mustered out of 
service. 



A RE.MINISCEXX'E OF THE WAR. 

AS PUBLISHED IN THE "DELAWARE COUNTY AMERICAN," AUCUST 

13, 1862. DESCRIBES THE RECRUITING OF 

COMPANY D, OF THE I24TH. 

Captain Yarnall's Company. — In oiir last we noticed that a 
committee of young" men, some of the leading citizens of this place, 
had waited upon Sheriff Yarnall and tendered him the captaincy 
of a new volunteer company which they were forming for nine 
months' service. We were then unable to state the decision of 
the sheriff, as it was not determined upon at the time of our going 
to press. He finally accepted, giving the duties of his office in 
the hands of his son, the only one remaining of a sufficient size, 
who is not in the army, and on Wednesday afternoon the bills 
were issued from this office giving notice of the fact and the desire 
of having the company filled immediately. Recruiting by those 
who had brought about the project was carried on with an earnest- 
ness through the week never before excelled, and by Saturday 
night a surplus of names was on the roll. In fact, when the word 
first went out that a company of the character specified was to be 
got up, and that Sheriff Yarnall was to be its leader, the call was 
ans.wered from every quarter of our county, with a spirit which 
will long be remembered by our people, and it was at once demon- 

58 



strated, practically beyond question, that the thin.;- was a success. 
As the name was enrolled, each man was made to understand that 
he would be expected to be at the Court House in Media on 
Monday, to be sworn in, and at the hour specified, ten o'clock, the 
building- was filled with young, brave and willing hearts, readv 
to join solemnly and sincerely, the cause of their country. To 
keep order and facilitate the object designed Hon. Ed. Darlington 
was called to the chair, and Joseph G. Cummins, chosen sec- 
retary. 

Business was inimediately proceeded with by calling the names 
upon the roll, when upwards of a hundred answered, quite a 
number remaining silent from the fact that they knew there were 
more than enough, and of the excess they hoped to have enough 
to put another company upon such a basis as to insure its com- 
pletion by the loth inst. How many names they received we did 
not understand, but they are at work on the same plan as Capt. 
Yarnall's men adopted. Their headquarters is at the Charter 
House, in Aledia, where all necessary information can be obtained 
of James Barton, Jr., one of the members. But to return to the 
proceedings of the meeting. The proper officer not being present 
to administer the oath, it was stated that this would be put ofif 
until three o'clock in the afternoon. Then there was a little time 
for speechifying, and the large audience would be pleased to 
listen. Rev. Mr. Gracey was called upon, who eulogized the great 
cause in which we were engaged. He believed the present war 
was for a righteous purpose, and thanked God that he lived in a 
community so full of patriotism as this. ^Ir. Jno. M. Broomall 
was the next speaker. He said that he was a conservative and 
that he would explain what he meant by that term. It was the 
fulfillment of the law without regard to consequences — crushing 
out a rebellion whether of one person or many — and to do it 
in the present instance he would take the sword in one hand and 
the fire l)rand in the other, and he would leave no foe behind, even 
if the result was extermination. He had a word to say about 
]:)arties. There were two Governments in this country, and those 
who were not fully committed to the fortunes of the one at Wash- 
ington were for the one at Richmond, and those who seek to 
detract from the operations of the former were worse, far worse, 
than the men who are now engaged in murdering our fathers, 
sons and brothers ; they were the meanest creatures on God's 

59 



footstool, and ought to be hung like clogs, every one of them. 
If thev succeeded in their plans, the war would be here without 
a doubt, and it is well that the people were aware of this fact. 
Dr. Parrish was next called. We have only room to allude to 
his remarks. In speaking of disloyalty in this section, he related 
a case in point. A lady of his acquaintance, in seeking aid for 
the sick and wounded soldiers, had called upon a man in Middle- 
town, who refused to give, and ordered her gruffly to go to the 
Black Republicans, as he had nothing to give in such a cause. 
This language was that of a traitor. We are in possession of his 
name and we would not be surprised if he is visited by a vigilance 
committee before many days. He ought to have the oath of 
allegiance administered to him at once or be sent south. 

At twelve o'clock the meeting adjourned, when the volunteers 
dined at the Charter House, where dinner had been expressly 
prepared for them. Immediately after this they searched for a man 
suspected of disloyaltv from Aliddletown, who had been about the 
borough in the forenoon, but they failed to find him. At the 
hour named they again appeared at the Court House, where the 
oath was administered by William McCormick, Esq., of Upper 
Darbv, and the company christened "Gideon's Band." I. Law- 
rence Haldeman was chosen as ist Lieutenant, and Joseph Pratt, 
2d. Jos. G. Cummins was recommended by a vote of the company 
to the appointing officers as ist Sergeant. A sword was then 
presented to the Captain by John M. Broomall, on behalf of the 
citizens, in an appropriate address. The scene will long be remem- 
bered in Media. It was one of great solemnity and earnestness. 
The reply of Air. Yarnall elicited the admiration and applause of 
all present. He was willing to devote his life and all he had to 
his country — that sword should never be sheathed as long as we 
were assailed by foes from within or without. 

This company, with Captain Litzenberg's, which is also filled, 
will go into camp at Harrisburg this week. 

Sherifif Yarnall preached in the Media Al. E. Church, on Sun- 
day morning last, for the last time, for awhile, at least, and 
perhaps forever. That he may return amongst us unscathed and 
unharmed are the sincere wishes of his fellow-citizens. 



60 



ROSTER 

OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, 
PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

AS RECORDED IN BATEs' HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

The * indicates deaths on record to April i, 1907. Those not otherwise 
accounted for in column of remarks were mustered out with the regiment 
when term of service expired. 



FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS, 



NAME 



Joseph W. Hawley. 



RANK 



Colone. 



REMARKS. 



*3imon Litzenberg... Lt. Col. 



*I. Law. Haldeman... .Major. 
*J. Carpenter Worth. ..Adj... 

*George Malin, Jr O. M 

C. W. Houi^hton Suri 



Joseph R. Martin... 

*Theodore J. Jung 

Ab'm Harshberger.. 

Joseph S. Evans 

John Haines Long... 

Jesse Taggart 

Wm. Pusey West... 

T. Benton Aitkeu... 



As.vSur. 

.do.... 

.do.... 
Chap'n 
Sr.Maj. 

O.M.Sr 

Coni.Sr 

Hos.vSt 



Promoted from Captain company A, Aug. 16, 
1862— Wounded at Antietam— mustered out 
with regiment, May 17, 1S63. 
Promoted from Captain company B, Aug. 16, 
iSt32 — mustered out with rcg"t,'May 17, 1S63.' 
Promoted from 1st Lieut, company D, Aug. 16, 
1862— mustered out with reg't, May 17, 1S63. 
Promoted from ist Lieut, company C, Aug. 23, 
1862— mustered out with reg't, May 17, 1863.' 
Promoted from Corporal company A, Oct. 30, 
1862— mustered out with reg't, May 17, 1863. 
Promoted fromAss't vSurg. 91st reg't P. V., Sept. 
15, 1862— mustered out with reg't May 17, '63. 
Mustered out with reg't. May 17, 1863. 
Mnstered out with reg't, May 17, 1S63. 
Promoted to Surg. i66th reg. P.D.M., Dec. 5,'62. 
Resigned Jan. 9, 1S63. 

Promoted from Sergeant company F, Aug. 25, 
1862 — nmstered out with reg't, May 17, 1863. 

Promoted from Sergeant company G, Aug. 25, 
1S62 — mustered out with reg't, May 17, 1S63. 

Promoted from Sergeant company IL vSept. i, 
1862 — mustered out with reg't. May 17, 1S63. 

Mustered out with reg't. May 17, 1863, 



* Deceased. 



61 



Co. A. 



Joseph W. Havvley.. 
*Allen "SI. Davis 



*Charles \V. Roberts. 
*Saniuel (t. Smith... 

*John A. Groff. 

*Isaac Finch 



JohiiM. Windle...... 

*Edward White 

*John J. Glissou 

*Jos. N. Woodward... 

David H. Steitlcr.... 

Joseph Davis 

*Heiiry B. Wynn 

*Wni. S. Wetherall... 
*Albauos H. Bicking 

*Jacob H. Way 

* Powell Baily 

Richard F. Hill 

*Saniuel B. Smiley... 

William R. Thomas 

David S. Wilkinson 
*George Malin,Jr 

Ringgold Carman... 

Artes, James 

*Baily, William H... 
*Bentley, William H. 
^Baldwin, Hli H 

Bvers, Samuel 

Bond, Harmon G..., 
*Brown, Townsend... 

Chambers, John F... 

Carman, John L 

*Collier, William H.. 
*Collier, Hosea A 

Davis, Edward G.... 
*Durnell, Wesley 

Epright, William.... 

Emery, Samuel B... 

Ford, Rufus D 

*Farra, Lewis 

*Faust, Daniel H 

Farren, George 

*Gill, Andrew J........ 

Griffith, Evan 

Glisson, Wilmer W. 

Hawley, Bernard 

Henderson, Alex 

Hanley, Edward B.. 

Heck, Edwin 



Captain 
do.... 



..do.... 
I£t Lt. 
2d Lt.. 
..do.... 



istSg:. 

Serg't. 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

. Corp.. 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

..Muc. 

Private 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 



Promoted to Colonel, Aug. i6, 1S62. 

Promoted from istLt., Aug. 16, 1S62 — discharg- 
ed on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 17, 1863. 

Promoted from 2d to ist Lt. , Aug. 16, i 62 — to 
Captain, F~eb. 17, 1863. 

Promoted from ist Sgt. to rd Lt., Oct. 20, 1862 

—to istLt., Feb. 17, 1863. 
Promoted from Sgt. to ist Sgt., Oct. 20, 1862 

—to 2d Lt., Feb. 17, 1863. 
Promoted from Sergeant, Aug. 16, 1862 — died 

Oct. 20, of wds. received at Antietam. 

Promoted from Sergeant, Feb. 17, 1863. 
Promoted from Corporal, Aug. 16, 1S61. 

Promoted from Corporal, Oct. 2^, 1^62. 
Promoted from Corporal, Feb. 17, 1863. 



Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 20, 1862. 
Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 30, 1862. 
Promoted to Corporal, Jan. i, 1S63. 
Promoted to Corporal, Feb. 17, 1&63. 
Promoted to Corporal, Feb. 17, 1863. 
Promoted to Corporal, Feb. 17, 1S63, 
Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 18, 1862. 
Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 15, 1C62. 
Promoted to Quartermaster, Oct., 30, 1862. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 31, 1863. 



Died Oct. 22, of wounds received at Antietam. 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 13, 1863. 

Wounded Jan. 10, 1S63. 

Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 18, 1862. 



Co. A — Continued. 



Harp, William II... 

Hoobcr, John 

Hall, Lewis R 

Hill, Charles C 

*Hartnian, Morgan.., 

*Hughcs, Joseph 

John, Kclwin B 

Jester, John F 

*Johnson, Wni. H 

Jones John 

Kamerer, Henry M. 

Laniborn, F. H 

Law, Robert C 

' Lloyd, John L 

*Morris, Joseph E 

Morgan, John 

*Mul!en, Alfred 

Mercer, Joseph W... 
*M'Farland, Geo. W. 

Nichols, Lewis B 

Patterson, Chas. D.. 

Pratt, John R 

*Peart, Roland M 
*Peirce, Joseph T, 
Peirce, Wni. H. H... 
Pickhaver, Wni. B.. 

•^Pinkerton. M. H 

*Rambo, Thomas 

Reynolds, Sam'l B.. 

Rushton, Charles P. 

*Rickord, Leonard V 

Rodenbaugh, W. L. 

*vStott, Jacob S 

Stamp, William 

*Speakman, James.. 

Steele, Canby S 

Steitler, George J.. 
Steitler, William D 

Sullivan, John 

*Strong, Edward 

Smith, Acker 

*Thorn 



Samuel R. 

Tyson, George W 

Thompson, Henrv B 
*Treen, Charles W.. 

Terry, Edwin F 

*Valentine, Jonathan 
*Walker, Plumer E. 

Wilson, William G 

Walker, John W 

Wagner, Wm. H.... 

Yoder, John 



Private 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...dc... 

...do... 

...do... 

..do... 

..do... 

..do... 

..do... 

..dj... 

..do... 

..do..., 

..do..., 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 
...do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do... 

..do... 

..do... 

..do... 

...do... 

do..., 

do..., 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
..do... 



Died at Harper's Ferry, Va., Oct. 23, 1S62 
Deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate. Mar. 9, 186-^. 
Wounded at Autietam. 



Died at Acquia Creek, Va., April 5, iS6^ 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 20, 1S62. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 9, 1S6: 
Missed in action at Chancellorsville, Va. 



Died Oct. 20, of wounds received at Antietam. 



Deceased. 



63 



Co. B. 



*vSiiiion lyitzenberg... 
*Tohii Woodcock 


Captain 
...do.... 


*Ralph Buckley 

Win. H. Litzenberg 
R. T. Williams 

*Alex. E. Crozier 

James Carrick 


.1st Lt. 
.2dU.. 
1st Sgt. 

Serg't. 

..do.... 


George Fildes 


...do.... 


Tolin Shaw 


.do.. 


*Daiiiel Crowder 

*John B. vSilbey 

William Major 


.Corp.. 
...do.... 
...do.... 


* Edwin Bouden 


...do.... 


L,ewis P. Watkins... 
John B. Trainor 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Joseph M'Coy 


...do.... 


*John Ashworth 


...do.... 


^Thomas H. Kay 


...do.... 


*Israel L,. Thomas 


...do.... 


*George Heath 


..Muc. 


*Albert M. Neal 


.do.... 


Ayres, George W... 
Abernathy, R. Jas... 
Baggs, John 


Private 

...do.... 

do.... 


Barlow, Jacob 


...do.... 


Blakely, Edwin...... 

*Bvre, Jerome 


...do.... 
do.... 


Brensinger, Jos. H.. 
Broadbent, Chas. W. 
Brands, Peter 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


*Brewster, Wni 


do.. 


Brewster, Abraham. 
*Baggs, William 


...do.... 
...do.... 


■*Barlow, Joseph 


.do.... 


*Cooper, Edward 


...do.... 


^Chambers, Thomas.. 
Creamer, Charles 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Dobbins, Wm. A 


...do... 


Button, Thomas H.. 
Daniels, Wm. E 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Doran, John M. T... 
*Edwards, Elmer 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Fitzgerald, Michael. 
*Farra, Wm. B 


...do.... 
do. 


Fildes, John 


...do.... 


Fryer, John 


do 


Greenwood, Samuel 
*Green, Morris 


...do.... 
do... 


Herron, Thomas J... 
Hill, Thomas 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Henrv, William 


...do.... 


Hiyer, Hiram 

Hizer, Wm. H 


...do.... 
..do.... 



Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Aug. i6, 1S62. 
Promoted from 1st Lieutenant, Aug. 16, 1862 
Promoted from 2d Lieutenant, Aug. 16, 1862. 
Promoted from ist Sergeant, Aug. i5, 1S62. 
Promoted from Sergeant, Aug. 16, 1862. 
Promoted from Corporal, Aug. 16, 1S6:. 

Promoted from private, Oct. 10, 1862 — wounded 
at Chancellorsville. 

Promoted to Corporal, Aug. 16, 1S62. 

Promoted to Corporal, Dec, 6, 1862. 



Promoted to Corporal, Mar. 10, 1S63. 
Promoted to Corporal, Mar. 28, 1863. 
Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate. Mar. 28, 1S63. 
Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 10, 1S63. 
Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Apr. 16, 1863. 
Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 31, 1862. 



Wounded at Antietam. 
Wounded at Chancellorsville. 



Killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 28, 1S63. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 16, 1863. 
Deserted Aug. 14, 1862. 

Deserted Sept. 17, 1862. 



64 



Co. B — Continued. 



*Henderson, Win. H 

Henderson, John L. 

Honnatt, George. 
*Hunter, Abrani... 

Hoofstitler, John.. 

Haas, Win. H 

Hacknian, Henry 

Johnson, Joseph vS 

Johnson, Wni. H.., 
*Kinkade, Andrew. 
*Kelley, Gardner.... 
*Kugler, S. Crawford 
*Kents, Thomas W.. 
*Kay , Edward 

Loniax, Thomas 

Loinax, Matthew... 

Logan, James 

Leib, John A 

*Laniy, William , 

*Lear, Rufus K 

Major, John 

Marshman, Chand... 
Martin, Minshall.... 

Melloa, Jonas 

*Makin, James 

M'Conville, Arthur. 
Nicholson, William. 

*Paist, Jesse W 

Patterson, John... 
Pyott, Richard 



Pilling, Thomas. 



Robinson, George... 

Roelnick, Alfred 

Siplcr, Edward D... 
*Shillingford,Geo. H. 

Schofield, John 

Shaw, Henry 

Stirk, Samuel 

Squibb, Samuel 

Shennik, George... 

Taylor, William 

Toomes, James 

Tooines, Richard... 
*Trainor, James 

Wilkinson, John J.. 

Walraven, Benj 

Worrell, Edward.... 
* Waddle, Joseph 

Young, Frederick.. 
*Yates, Enos 



Private 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do..., 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
...do.... 

do.... 

do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do... 
..do... 
...do... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do... 
..do... 
..do... 
..do... 
..do... 
..do... 
..do... 
..do... 
..do... 
..do., 
.do... 
.do... 
.do.... 
.do.... 
.do.... 
.do.... 
.do.... 
.do.... 
.do.... 
.do.... 
.do.... 
.do.... 



Missed in action at Chancellorsville. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 5, 1862. 
Died at Washington, D, C, Jan. 20, 1863. 



Died at Harper's Ferrv, Nov. 24, 1S62. 
Deserted Nov. 28, 1S62. 



Died Mar. i, 1863, at Washington, D. C. 



Heceased. 



65 



Co. C. 



*James B. Whitcraft. 
*J. Carpenter Worth. 
*Wm C Dickev 


Captain 
.1st Lt. 
...do.... 


*L,evi Crowl 

*J. Frank Bowman... 

*Francis P. Andrews. 

Tarob Z Webb 


.2dLt.. 
1st Sgt. 
Serg't. 
...do.... 


George G. Taylor... 
*Iohn M Rhoads 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Samuel B. Walton... 
*Charles W. Wilson.. 
*Tas H. Broomell 


.Corp.. 
...do.... 
...do.... 


*Thomas Dihvorth... 
*Tohn A. Smith 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Tohn M. Irvin 


...do.... 


*Wm. A. Fleming... 
*John T. Broadway... 
*Thomas W. Riday... 
*Eli Gatchell 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


*H. W. Livingston... 
Beverly T. Gause 


..Muc.. 
..do... 


Aiken, James C 

Bowers, Thomas 


Private 
...do.... 


*Bootli Toshua M 


do.... 


*Benderman, T.J 


...do.... 


Bayard, George F... 
Brown, Thomas 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Broomell, Wm. C... 
Baker Georee L 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Bates, William 


...do.... 


* Brown, John M 

Coates, Samuel 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Cowan, Richard F... 
*Cole, Amos 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Cooper, Thomas L... 
Corkadale, Geo. F... 
Crossley, Henrv 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


CooDer. Lewis R 


do... 


*Campbell, Robert H 
Campbell, John C... 
Cumins, Thos. W... 
Craig, William B.... 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Cresswell, Sam'l W. 
Coleman Toseoh 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Deever, Lewis G 


...do.... 


*Dickev, Samuel H.. 

Dihvorth, Rich'd B. 

*Fuller, James R 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


*Ford, James 


...do.... 


Garrettv, Daniel 


...do.... 


Garver, Samuel H... 
Greenfield, Joel S... 
Greenfield, John H. 
Gyles, EbenezerT... 


...do.... 

...do.... 

..do.... 

...do.... 



Promoted to Adjutant, Aug. 23, 1862. 
Promoted from 2d Lieutenant, Aug. 23, 1862. 



Promoted to Corporal, May 6, 1863. 

Promoted to Corporal, May 6, 1862. 
Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Apr. 10, 1863. 
Killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 12, 1862. 
Disch'gdon Surgeon, s certificate, Feb. i, 1863. 



66 



Co. C — Coiitiiiucii. 



Gyles, William G 
*Hayes, Gibbons... 

Hughes, Joshua... 
*Hardee, Caleb P.. 
*Iford, William 

Jones, Richard.... 

Kirk, David E.... 
^Kennedy, Amos... 
*Lynch, James, Jr. 

Leek, John A 

Law, Henry H 

*Messimer, John B 

Mershon, John H. 

M' Donald, David. 

M' Garten, Sani'l H. 

M'Cullough, W. R. 
*M'Donald, Richard. 
*M'Fadien, Thomas.. 

M'Fadien, John R... 

M'Clurg, James H... 

M'Clurg, Daniel H. 

M'Laughlin, Corn.. 
*M'Intire, John T.... 

M'Clean, Allen 

M'lntyre, John P.... 

*Newell, John K 

*Pugh, Townsend.... 
*Pearson, William.... 

Pearson. David T 

Price, William H.... 

Powell, Allen 

Rupert, John A 

Rigdon, Charles H.. 
*Robinson, Alex'r 

Rcvburn, Geo. W... 

*Rigg, Peter C 

*Spear, CharlesJ 

Showalter, Jos. M... 
*Smith, William T... 

*Stevens, Wm. H 

*Thomas, Lambdon.. 

Taylor, John L 

Worth, W. Harrison 
*Woodside, Robt. G. 
*Winger, Bernard.... 

Walker, Samuel 

Webster, Alfred 

Williamson, James.. 



Private 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
..do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
..do.... 
...do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
...do.... 
do.... 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Jan, lo, 1863. 
Died at Washington, Sept. 21, 1862. 



Deserted Dec. 11, 1862. 



Died at Washington, Peb. i, 1863. 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 4, 1862. 
Killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. 

Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 25, 1863. 



Wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1S63. 



* Deceased. 



ERRATA. 



William Pearson should be William H. Pierson. 
Thos. McFadien should be Thos. McFadden. 
John R. McFadien should be John R. McFadden. 



67 



Co. D. 



*Norris L- Yarnall.... 
*I. Law. Haldeman... 

Joseph Pratt 

*Jos. G. Cummins-... 
*C. D. M. Broomhall. 

John Frank Black... 

Wm. B. Broomall... 
*Benjamin Brooke.... 
*Benjamin T. Green., 

Frederick Eckfeldt., 
*Edward \V. Lewis... 

W. J. MacPherson... 
*W. Wa_yne Vogdcs.. 

William H. Beatty.. 
*David\V. Eyre 

William T. Innis.Jr. 



John F. Worrelton. 

Joel HoUingsworth 

*JosephJ. Hall 

*James Crozier 

*Wm. H. Howard.... 
*H. W. Williamson... 

*Aitken, James B 

Brooke, Hunter 

Boker, Samuel 

Brinton, Joseph A... 

Blazier, Stephen M. 

Black, Harry H 

*Batting, William 

*Baker, Cvrus 

*Bittle, William L.... 

Bradbury, David 

*Baker, Daniel B 

*Cheetliam, James... 

Cummins, Ric'd R. 

Cowan, George W.. 
*Cochran, John R. . . . 

Crouse, Michael 

*Davis, Lorenzo P\.. 

Darlington, Jesse, Jr 

*Doughty. James 

*Davidson, Wm. G.. 
*Duey, Harry R 

Darlington, Jesse... . 

*Eckfeldt, Elias 

*Esben, William Y.. 

Esry, Charles J 

Fairlamb, vSalkeld L 
*Fryer, Jabez F 

Flounders, Isaac N.. 
*Ford, Milton 

Fields, Thomas 

^Fielding, Anderson. 



Captain 

ist Lt. 

..do.... 

2dLt.. 
1st Sgt. 
Serg't. 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

Corp.. 

..do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 

...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
..do.... 
..Muc. 
...do.... 

Private 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do. 

...do. 

...do.... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 

...do... 



Promoted to Major, Aug. i6, 1S62. 
Promoted from 2d to ist Lieut., Aug. 16, i 62, 
Promoted from ist Sergeant, Aug. 16, 1862. 
Promoted from Sergeant, Aug. 16, 1862. 



Promoted from Corporal, Nov. i, 1862. 

Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 19, 1863 

Promoted to Corporal, Aug. 16, 1862. 

Promoted to Corporal, Aug. 16, 1862. 

Promoted to Corporal, Aug. 16, 1862. 

Promoted to Corporal, Aug. 16, 1862. 

Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 2, 1862. 

Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 2, 1862 — wounded 
at Chancellorsville. 

Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 2, 1862. 

Promoted to Corporal, Nov. i, 1862. 

Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 15, 1S63. 

Died Sept. 21, of wounds received at Antietam. 

Died at Stafford C. H., Va., Feb. 8, 1S63. 
Died at Bolivar Heights, Va., Oct. 27, 1862 



Wounded at Antietam. 

Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 5, 1863. 

Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 21, 1863. 



Missed in action at Antietam. 



68 



Co. D — Continued. 



Griimn, John L, 

Gamble, William.... 

Garrett, William H. 

Gardner, George W. 

Green, Edward B 

*Henderson, John H. 

Howarth, Wm. G... 

*Heyhurn, BrintonJ. 

*Ha\vs, Andrew J 

*Hannum, AlferdJ... 

Howard , John D 

Heacock, James H 
*Hoopes, William H. 

Hance, Thomas, Jr 
*Heyburn, William., 
*Johnson, Philip R.. 

*Jackson, Edward 

*King, Rufus 

*Longmire, N. C 

*Lintou, James D 

Miller, George D.... 

Moore, Charles 

Martin, William L.. 
*Moore, James, Jr.... 

Millson, Millson L. 

*Newsoni, James 

*Pike, Casper 

*Passmore, Rich'dA 
*Price, Caleb T 

Pugh, John 

*Palmer, Samuel H.. 

Paulding, Henry.... 

*Palmer, John 

*Pyle, John M 

^Richards, Jacob B.. 
*Slack, Menanda 

Stackhouse, Penel.. 
*Springer, George F 
*Sorber, James C 

Smith, Stephen 

Smith, Mifflin W... 

Thomas, Benj. F.... 

Wells, Walker Y.... 

Waters, James 

* Watson , Joel E 

Watkins, Chas. W.. 

Warburton, Henry., 

Wall, Christian A'.. 



Private 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do. 

...do. 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 
...do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 



Died :\Iar. 12, 1863. 

Wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863 



Wounded at Antietam. 



Died Oct. 27, 1S62. 



* Deceased. 



ERRATA. 

John F. Worrelton should be John F. Worrilow. 
John ly. Grimm should be John L. Grim. 
Casper Pike should be Casner Pike. 
James Newsom should be James Newsome. 
Stephen Smith should be Stephen T. Smith 
Penel Stackhouse should be Pennell Stackhouse 



69 



*Eciwin Otlcy 

*Rich. I>. Townscnd. 



*\Villiain I,yiu-h. 
Josiali Burnett.. 



Captain 
..do... 

I St Lt 
..do... 



Thos. J. Townscnd... 

William H. Burns... 
Sani'lJ. Thompson. 

*Williaiii Rodgcrs 

William Otlcv 



*Willia:n Kccch 

David K. Pierce 

* Franklin Frame 

*Tolin (j. Hoopes 

William INIouldcr 

William Auld 

George F. Baily 

^Thomas W. Taylor.. 

^"Andrew Johnson 

■'Thomas S. Foster 

Barton, Josej)!! 

*Bonncr, James 

Brown, Moses M 

*Clia:nberlin, Palme: 
^Copeland. Elias W.. 

*Cox, David 

*Conway, Thomas 

*Cooper, Clement 

^Cunningham, Wm... 

*Davis, Henrv M 

*Dihvorth, Chas. H.. 

Dugan, Michael 

*Epright, John J 

*Fntrican, James 

Ferrell.John W 

Ford, Peter 

Foreman, George B. 

*Frame, Isaac T 

*Farra, George D 

Frame, Gibbons 

Griffith, Ezekiel R.. 

Griffith, I'ernandoJ. 

Gutley, Joseph 

*Greentield, Jesse 

Harvev, Isaac L 

Hall, Joseph W 

Hampton, Joseph. . . . 

Ilanna, William H.. 
*HotTman, Thomas R. 

Harlan, Edward T... 
*Howarth, Nathaniel 
*Heuthorue, Isaac, 



.2dLt. 

1st Sgi 
vSerg't 
...do... 

...do... 



...do... 
. Corp. 
...do... 

..do... 

..do... 
...do... 
...do... 

..do... 

..do... 

.Muc. 

Private 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
..do... 
...do... 
...do... 



Co. E. 

Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 31, 1S62. 
Promoted from 2d to ist Lieut., Sept. 15, 1S62 — 

to Captain Oct. 31, 1S62. 
Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 15, 1S62. 
Promoted from ist Sgt. to 2d Lt., Oct. 17, 1862 

—to 1st Lt., Oct. 31, 1S62. 

Promoted from Sgt. to ist Sgt., Oct. 17, 1S62 
— to 2d Lt., Oct. 31, 1862. 

Promoted from Sergeant, Oct. 31, 1862. 



Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 17, 1862. — wounded 
at Chancellorsvillc, May 3, 1863. 

Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 31, 1S62. 



Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 17, 1862. 
Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 17, 1S62. 
Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 31, 1S62. 



Died at Washington, D. C, ^lar. i, 1S63. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 9, 1862. 
Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 9, i8d2. 



Died at Alexandria, Va,, Jan. 25, 1863. 



Died at Alexandria, Va. , Dec. 29, 1862. 



Co. E — Coiiti)tin\i. 



Ingram, Frederick... PriTate 

*Jester, Vincent do. . . . 

Jetferson, William do.... 

Johnson, S. S do.... 

Kearns, Chas. S do.... 

Kitzelmau, Chas. H. ...do... 

♦King, Temple do... 

*Mealey, James do... 

*Mercer, Thomas B do... 

Mercer, William do... 

Mendenhall, Clark do... 

*Miles, Emmor do... 

Monlder, David do... 

Marrion, Peter do... 

Mullen, John do..., 

*.vrFall, Franklin do.... 

*M'Collough, Chas do.... 

M'Fadden, Jacob E do.... 

M'Nelly, Jesse K do.... 

M'Fadden, Joseph do 

M'Connathy, Dan'l. ...do.... 

Nethery, Byard B do.... 

*0'Neil , James do 

Patterson, Frazier do.... 

Patterson, Oliver R. ...do.... 

Pierce, Jonathan do.. 

*Passmore, Jones R do.. 

Rox, Joseph do.. 

Rumcr, Wm. H do.. 

Roberts, Jehu do.. 

Robb, James do.. 

*3ourmilk, Valent'e do.. 

*vStarr, Samuel do.. 

*Talley, Emmor L do.. 

*Thorn, Henry do.. 

Thompson, Geo. ]M. ...do.. 

Townsend, Wm do.. 

Tucker, Francis do.. 

Taylor, Joseph B do.. 

*Taylor, Chalkley do.. 

Vincent, Levi do.. 

nVhitcraft, John G do.. 

*Williams, Henrv do.. 

*Windle, Taylor.'. do.. 

*Wilson, James do.. 

Williamson, Morris. ...do.. 

*Woodward, Ryle do 

♦Worth, Joseph do.... 

Williamson, C. C do. 



Died at Harper's Ferry, Nov. 29, 1S62. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Jan, 25, 1863. 
Deserted Sept. 17, iSb2. 



Missed in action at Chancellorsville. 

Missed in action at Autietam. 
Deserted Sept. 17, 1S62. 



Deserted Sept. 17, 1S62. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certilicate, Jau. 13, 1S6: 
Deserted Dec. 10, 1862. 



Young, Isaac. 



.do.... 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate. Mar. 9, i86-^. 
Died at Stafford C. H., Va., Feb. 28, 1863. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 29, 1S63. 
Deserted Dec. 10, 1862. 



* Deceased. 

ERRATA. 
William Moulder should be Wilmer Moulder. 
Joseph Gutley should be Joseph Girtley. 
David Moulder should be Davis Moulder. 
Ryle Woodward should be Pyle Woodward. 



Co. r, 



*Frank Crosbv 


Captain 
...do.... 
.1st Lt. 

.2dLt.. 

1st Sgt. 
Serg't. 
...do.... 


*James A. Eicholtz.... 

Wni. D. Christnian.. 

W. H. Whitehead... 
*vStephen Blatchford. 

Geo. R. Maxton 

Wni. B. Bunker 


*Taiiies K.eech 


...do.... 


*Tehu Brooke 


...do.... 


Wm. W. Potts 


...do.... 


*William Gratz 


...do.... 


T Haines Lone'' 


do.... 


Patrick Bcriger. 

*Wm. P. Stephenson. 
*Tlioiiias T. Smith. 


.Corp.. 
...do.... 

do. 


*William Williams... 
Richard Mercer 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Reuben M. Mercer.. 
*Joseph P. Way 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*J. Albert :\Iilner. ... 


...do.... 


*James Maitland 


...do.... 


Joseph W. Martin... 

*Allison, Joseph F.... 
*Bedlow, John 


..Muc. 

Private 
do. 


Bailey, Mifflin W... 
*Bailev, Reese M 


...do.... 
do... 


Baldwin, John S.... 


do. 


Battin, Wm. H 


do.... 


Beatty, Andrew H... 
Bride, Robert 


...do.... 
...do.... 


^Brubaker, Abraham. 
*Burnett, Cyrus J 


...do.... 
do. 


*Bush, WilHam H 


...do.... 


Bloom, Ingram P 


...do.... 


*Burnett, James 


...do.... 


Chalfant.John J 

*Daller, Charles 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Daller, William T... 
Dowlin, Thomas P.. 
Eyans, Allen 


...do.... 

...do.... 

do. 


Eavenson, R. E 


...do.... 


Fritz, Christian 


...do.... 


*Guest, William A.. . 


...do... 


*Gamble, Peter 

Hall, Joseph H 

Hoffecker, Henry... 
*Houston, Dayid F... 

Hood, Joseph 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Hopkins, John 


.. do.. 


Hutton, Benj. R 


. do. 


Ingram, Albin 


...do.... 


James, Caleb S 


..do.... 



Discharged Sept. 24, 1862. 

Promoted from 1st Lieutenant, Sept. 24, 1862. 

Promoted from 2d Lieutenant, Sept. 24, 1S62. 

Promoted from ist Sergeant, Sept. 24, 1862. 

Promoted from Sergeant, Sept. 24, 1862. 

Promoted troin Corporal, Sept. 24, 1862. 

Promoted from Corporal, Sept. 24, 1S62. 

Promoted from Corporal, Sept. 24, 1862. 

Promoted from Corporal, Sept. 24, 1862. 

Wounded at Antietam — Disch'gd on Surgeon's 
certificate, Feb. 10, 1863. 

Wounded at Antietam — Disch'gd on Surgeons 

certificate, Feb. 12, 1863. 
Promoted to Sergeant Major, Aug. 25, 1862. 



Wounded and missing at Chancellorsville. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 24, 1862. 



Absent, sick, at muster out. 
Discharged Feb. 20, 1863. 



Co. F — Coiitiiuicd. 



*Keech, Charles P.... 
*Kenible, John \V 


Private 
...do.... 


Kemble, Bushrod H. 
Leech Michael 


...do.... 
...do.... 


T.nve Tames 


...do.... 


Lahay, Michael .... 
*Loughrani, Michael. 

*Laird, David 

*Milligan, Lewis T... 
*\Tnorp F)avid 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Marshall, John W... 
Mercer Evan A 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Mercer, Towns'd E.. 
Mercer F Wills 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Martin, I. Walton... 
ATcvers Tolin 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Monaghan, Hanii'n. 

M'Clintock, James.. 
Padan Huph 


...do.... 

...do.... 
...do.... 


Penniger, Samuel... 
Pennypacker, A. F.. 
Parker Robert H 


...do.... 

...do.... 
...do... 


*Potter. Henrv 


...do.... 


*Pr"ce Issacker 


...do.... 


On inter Creortre. .. 


...do.... 


Reed William 


...do.... 


Root Peter 


...do.... 


Rambo Mahlon, 


...do.... 


Ramstine, Thomas.. 
Rambaugh, Abram.. 
Rntherford Tohn... 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


*Rennard Wm. H.. 


...do.... 


*Roxborough, Chas,. 
*Siverd William 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Smith, Frank C. ... 

*Simmons, George B. 

Snrinp'er W. (t 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Thomas Tohn 


...do.... 


*Vandever, William.. 
Wack . Tames 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Wack, Benjamin B.. 
Weio^les Charles.. 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Warner, Napoleon B 

*Warner, Henry C... 

White Tohn W 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Windle, David C 

Yocum, William 


...do.... 
...do.... 


* Deceased. 





Absent, sick, at muster out. 
Deserted Aug. i6, 1862. 
Deserted Oct. 11, 186-'. 
Deserted Nov. 11, 1862. 



Died at Frederick, Md., Mar. 11, 1863, of wounds 
received at Antietam. 



Died at Frederick, Md. , Sept. 22, 1862. 



Deserted Oct. 13, 1862. 



ERRATA. 
Abram Rambaugh should be Abram Rambo. 
Hugh Padan should be Hugh Paden. 
George B. Simmons should be George H. Simmons. 



7.1 



Co. G. 



*Edward F. James.... 
*Philip D. Haines.... 

nVilliam S. Able 

*Jas. H. Naylor 

Joseph N. Marshall.. 

Henry J. Stager 

Charles J. Murray.... 

Markly Davis 

Jesse Taggart 

*John W. Crothers.... 

Alfred Briiiton 

*Samuel Naylor 

Jacob E. James 

Gil'nB. Underwood. 
*Evan E. Woodward. 

Lorenzo D. Farra 

Isaac N. Evans 

*Ellis W. Ford 

*Wm. H. H. Smith... 

Addleman, Wm. H.. 

Boyer, Collins 

^Baldwin, Bird L 

Baldwin, William P. 

Bishop, Wavne M... 
■^^•Breckenridge, G. W. 

*Brinton, Thomas 

*Brosius, Robert H... 

Buclley, Jesse 

Collins, Thomas 

*Carver, Nelson 

Cool, Mordecai J 

Care, Henry 

Connor, George M.. 
*Dillinger, Samuel L. 

Dailv, Thomas 

Daily, John 

Forbes, Raymond... 

Frailey, Charles W. 

Guinney, Jefferson.. 

Grier, William 

Guinney, Franklin.. 

*Gordon, Morgan 

*Holmes, Philip 

*Houck, William H. 
*Holmes, Daniel 

Herri ngton, Corn's. 

Hughes, Jacob 

Ingram, John B 

Ingram, James H 

Irwin, Sanford 

*Jardine, Bethel N.... 

Jester, Edward B 

*Jardine, Amos C 

*Kaiser, George 

Kent, Samuel R 



Captain 
.ist Lt. 
.2dLt.. 
1st vSgt. 
Serg't. 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
. Corp.. 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

..do.... 

.Muc. 

..do.... 

Private 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.. 
...do.. 
...do. 
...do.... 
...do. 
...do. 
...do.... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
..do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 



Promoted from Corporal, Aug. 25, 1S62. 



Promoted to Quartermaster Sgt. , Aug. 25, 1862. 



Promoted to Corporal, Aug. 25, 1S62. 
Promoted to Corporal, Dec. 25, 1S62. 

Died at Acquia Creek, Va. , April 10, 1S63. 



Died at Washington, D, C, Apr. 25, 1863. 
Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Apr. i, 1863. 
Died at Penningtonville, Pa., Mar. 19, 1863. 
Deserted Sept. 17, 1S62. 



Missed in action at Antietam. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 11, 1862. 



Deserted Sept, 17, 1862. 



Deserted Sept. 17, 1862. 



Died Sept. 24, of wounds received at Antietam. 



74 



Co. G — Continued. 



*Kcely, Enos 


Private 
...do.... 


Kerr, Joseph 


*Lawrence, George... 

*L,animv, Joseph R.. 

Lonsr. Robert W.. 


...do.... 

...do.... 
...dc. 


anils, Thomas R 


...do. 


Mills, John 


...do. 


Mercer, Tosenh 


.. do. 


*Martin, Edward N.. 
Mendenhall, Wni... 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*M'Elhaney, Jacob.... 
*M'Elhaney, James... 
M'Cue. Amos W.. 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do... 


M'Cafferty, Howard. 
*Newbronj<h, Enos.... 

Nields, Harvey C 

Nields, Webb 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


O'Niel, Henrv 


. do. 


*0'Niel, William C... 
Pierce, Edwin 


...do.... 
do. 


*Pawling, Levi B 


do 


Peace, Samuel S 


...do.. 


Powers, John 


...do. 


Root, Robert 


do. 


Reese, Samuel B.. . 


do 


Roke, Jai7ies 


do 


Russell, Hugh P 


do 


*Stanlev, William M. 
Scott. William M.... 


...do.... 
do 


Sullivan, John H 

Smith, Norris W 

Starkweather, C. G. . 
Sinn, Benjamin G.... 
Stern, John 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
do 


*Sassaman, Thomas.. 
*Thornburg, R 


...do.... 
.. do. 


Townsend, E. W 


do 


Underwood, J., Jr.... 


..do.... 


nVorth, Henry M 

*Webster, Wm. D 

Wilson, John C 


..do.... 
..do.... 

do 


* Wright, John 


do 


Woodward, D. P 


..do... 


nVright, David vS 

Woods, Wilmer 


..do.... 
..do.... 


* Deceased. 





Died at Washington, May 8, 1863. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Apr. 20, 1863. 



Missed in action at Antietam. 



75 



Co. H. 



James Bartou, Jr 

*Frank M. Naglec 

Win. H. H. Clayton. 

*Jolui M. Clayton 

*Janies M'Dade 

Wni. G. Knowles 

\Vni..T. Shoemaker. 
*Cliarlcs B. Roberts.. 

Wm. Pusey West 

*Tliomas H. Jackson. 
*vSam'l K. Crozier 

Lewis M'Gonegal.... 
*John B. M'Cay, Jr.... 

*vSimon B. West 

*C. J. Rhodeback 

Enos W. Clair 

Wm. Trainer, Jr 



Captain 

.1st Lt. 

2dU.. 

1st Sgt. 

vSerg't. 

..do.... 

...do.... 

.do.... 

.do.... 

.do.... 
.Corp.. 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 

do.... 



James C. Hinkson. 

*James P. Evans 

*George B. 



Hinkson. 



Alman, Joseph A.... 

Arment, Joseph L,... 
*Benson, George S... 

Bonsall, Charles, Jr. 

Bnrns, William 

Bonsall, Joseph H.. 
*Burk, Thomas 

Baker, Ellis S 

*Carr, John W 

Casey, Robert, Jr... 

Cathcart, Joseph.... 
*Chad\vick, James P 

Clair, William H... 

Chandler, Wm. T... 

Clayton, Wm. T.... 
*Congleton, John B 
*Cro\vther, Wm. J.. 

Carman, Thomas J.. 

Cross, Geo. K 

Davis, Frederick A.. 

*Drake, Joseph M 

*I)nffy, JohnF 

*Eave, Elias 

Files, John 

Ford, Ezekiel C 

*Gutterson, Alex 

Green, Robert ]M 

Heacock, Sam'l 1*... 

Hanthom, Chas. T.. 
*Hartly, Frederick... 
*Heacock, Jonathan.. 

*Hauby, Robert J 

*Hickman, Edwin H. 

Hurst, Benjamin F.. 



...do.... 
..:Muc.. 
...do.... 

Private 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 



...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do..., 
...do..., 
...do..., 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
..do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 



Wounded at Antietam. 
Promoted from Corporal, Jan. 19, 1863. 
Promoted from Corporal, Jan. i, 1S63. 
Promoted to Commissary Sgt., Sept. i, 1S62. 
Died at Washington, D. C. ,Jan. 19, 1863. 



Promoted to Corporal, Jan. 19, 1862. 

at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 
Promoted to Corporal, Jan. i, 1863. 



-woun 



ded 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 27 
Died at Harper's T'erry, Nov. 3, 1862. 
Deserted Sept. 17, 1S62. 



1862. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 17, TS62. 
Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate. Mar. 8, 1863. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 30, 1S62. 



1(^ 



Co. H — Coiifimicd. 



Howard, William I). 
*Jacksoii, Charles 


Private 
...do.... 


Tackson Tohn 


...do.... 


Jones, David T 


...do.... 


*Lobb, J. Kpliraiin... 
*Miles. T. Weslcv 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Mills Oeora'e 


...do.... 


*Minshall Tesse D. 


...do.... 


*Mott. Tolin 


...do.... 


M'Call, Robert A.... 


...do.... 


M'Cue Daniel 


...do.... 


Nawn Philio 


...do.... 


*Neeld, Samuel W... 
Own Tesse 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Palmer Tohn 1*" 


...do.... 


*Peters Tohn 


...<lo.... 


Philips, John W 


...do.... 


*Piard Tames. Tr 


...do.... 


Pierce Harvev K... 


...do... 


*Platt, Horatio N 


...do.... 


Poole Georsi^e W 


...do.... 


Price. Isaac E 


...do... 


Pyle, James 


...do.... 


Pyle, Owen Z 


...do.... 


*Ragan, Maurice 


...do.... 


*Rice Tacob H 


. do. 


*Rvan Thomas 


do. 


Smith, Albert 


...do.... 


*Smith, Cheyney H.. 
Standriu"' Tohn... . 


...do.... 
...do.. 


*Tavlor, Joseph 


...do.... 


Temple, John IM 

*Trainer, Daniel 

*Tally, Livingston.... 

Vanhorn, William S. 

Vansant, Xchemiah. 
*Welsh, Ralph 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Whittington, John.. 
*White, Simon H 

Wildes, Thomas 

*Williams, Moses 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do... 


^Zebley, Samuel R... 


...do.... 


* Deceased. 





Discharged — date unknown. 

Died at Stafford C. H., Va., Mar. 8, 1863. 

Discharged — date unknown. 



Wounded at Chancellorsville. 

Wounded at Chancellorsville. 
Wounded at Antietam. 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Jan, 7, 186^ 



Deserted Sept. 17, 1S62. 



ICilled at Antietam. 



// 



Co. I. 



*\Viii. i\I. Hinkson.... 

Wni. V. vStrickland. 

William S. Snare 

Wal. J. Illingworth. 
*Hcnry C. Wilson.... 
*Henry C. Valentine. 

* Alfred Fairlanib 

*Colenian Wj-nn 

Jos. R. Strickland... 

Jonah B. Guthrie.... 
*Arnold M. Nicholas. 

Wm. R. T. Boggs.... 

Thomas M. Jeffries.. 
*Joseph B. Hinkson.. 

*John G. Reed 

*Joseph M'Cue 

*David P. Caruthers.. 
*Edw. D. Watkins.... 



* Alexander, L. T... 
*Arniole, John 

Anoltie, Edward..... 

Bailey, Benjamin H. 
*Bald\vin, George W 
*Baldwin, Joseph B. 
*Cochran, Robert 

Cramer, Christopher 

Cook, James 

Connor, George M.. 

Dowell, George W.. 

Donley, Lewis 

Duffy, Bernard 

*Doyle, William 

Fidler, Christian 

Garrigan, Nicholas.. 

Hoopes, Coleman 

Hoopes, Moses T 

Hampton, William.. 

Hughes, James 

Hinkson, Wm. A 

Holton, Alfred 

Holton, Jesse 

*Keating, John G 

Kenned}-, John 

*Johnson, Lewis T.... 
*Jenkins, Benjamin.. 
*Moore, James W 

* Murphy, Daniel 

M'Cluen, Edw. L... 

M'Lane, James 

M'Cabe, Owen 

M'Bride. Samuel 

M'MuUen, Patrick.. 

Naylor, George 

Pennell, vS. Franklin 

*Pyle, Henry W 



Captain 

.1st Lt. 

.2dLt. 

1st vSgt 

Scrg't 

...do... 

...do.... 

...do.. 

. Corp 

...do.... 

...do. 

...do.... 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do.... 

...do.... 

..Muc. 



Private 
...do... 
...do... 
...do... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
..do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
do.... 



Promoted from Corporal, Oct. i, 1862. 
Promoted to Corporal, Sept. 27, 1S62. 



Promoted to Corporal, Nov. 20, 1862. 
Promoted to Corporal, Nov. 20, 1862. 

Died at Harper's Ferry, Mar. 5, 1863, 
Killed at Chancellorsville, Mar. 2, 1863. 
Deserted Dec. 22, 1S62. 
Deserted Oct. i, 1862. 

Died Nov. 3, of wounds received at Antietam. 
Deserted Oct. 26, iS6_'. 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 26, 18C3. 



Died at Stafford C. H., Va., Mar. 20, 1863. 
Deserted Sept. 28, 1862. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 5, 1863. 
Died at Stafford C. H., Va., Feb. 9, 1863. 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 20, 1863. 



Discharged — date unknown. 



78 



Co. I — Coniiiiucd. 



Reed. Matthew C... 

*Rosc, Enos W 

*Rigg, Isaac W 

Rupp, Lewis 

*Reynolds, Wilnicr., 

Simcox, William... 

Stincback, Jacob H 
*Sniith, Samuel C... 
*Sweenev, Michael.. 
*Tavlor, Humph' vY 
*Taylor, Nathan Y.. 

Thomas, Joseph W.. 
*Underwood, Joseph, 

White, George W... 
*Woodward, Jac. H.., 
nvilson, Charles L... 
*Watkins, Cheney J.. 
*Wickersham, Wm... 
*Worrall, Charles T.. 



Private 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 

.do.... 

.do.... 

.do.... 

.do.... 

.do.... 
...do.... 

.do.... 

.do.... 

•do.... 

do.. 

do.. 

do.. 



Killed at Antietam. 



r3isch'gdon Surgeon's certilicate, Feb. 5, 1863. 
Died at Maryland Heights, Oct. 10, 1862. 



* Deceased. 

ERRATA. 
Jesse Helton should be Jesse D. Helton. 



79 



Co. K. 



*Williani W. Stott... 
*George E. Newlin... 

*Henry C. Wells 

*David H. Fleming... 
*Williani S. Walker.. 
*T.,p'w''i^ Wilson 


Captain 
.ist I.t. 
.2dU.. 
i.st vSgt. 
vSerg't. 
...do.... 


*Ed\vard C. Bennett.. 
*William A Bair 


...do.... 
...do.... 


William W. Bair 

"Augustine Birdscll.. 
Adam J. Reese 


...do.... 
. Corp.. 
...do.... 


*Tohn H. Bailev. 


...do.... 


*Henrv C. Ebv 


...do.... 


Samuel F. Kennedy 
Henr}' S. Burns 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Harrison Rennard. .. 
Tohn C. Boico 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Tohn B. Tae^gfart 


...do.... 


Aim, David F 


Private 


Adams Tohu O. 


...do.... 


Baker Enos C 


...do.... 


Bair Tohn H. 


...do.... 


*Brogan, Solomon 


...do.... 


Bulack Tohn G 


...do.... 


Berkehiser, Jacoli 


...do.... 


Bentley, Joshua M... 
Bird, Jesse 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Cunningham, J. F... 
*Connor, Samuel I'... 

Channell, George W 
*Corno2'. HenrvE. .. 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Entriken, W. H. H. 
Foster, James 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Finnev. Tohn W 


...do.... 


Fish, Samuel R 


...do.... 


Fox, Thomas V 


...do.... 


Freel Toseiih C. 


...do.... 


*Freed, Wm. H. H... 
Garrett. Tohn T 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Gilniore, Thomas J.. 
*Gordon, David E 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Garrett, David 


...do.... 


Greenleaf, Bruner... 
Hilton, Albert 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Harkins, William... 
Holstein. Tohn W... 


...do.... 
...do.... 


Hacket, William 


...do.... 


Harkins, George 

Havdon, John 


..do.... 
...do.... 


Ingram, James 


...do.... 


Tudsfe. Tohn 


...do.... 


Kimble, Joseph M... 
Kennedy, John W... 
Kane, William 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


*L,ukens, Clarkson... 


...do.... 



Promoted to Corporal, Oct. 25, 1862. 
Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 5, 1S62. 
Promoted to Corporal, Sept. i, 1S62. 



Promoted to Corporal, Nov. 30, 1862. 
Disch'gd on vSurgeon's certificate, Feb. 13, 1863. 
Died at Harper's Ferry, Nov. 30, 1862. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 12, 1863. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 13, 1863. 
Died at Washington, D, C, Oct. 2, 1862. 



Disch'gd on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 14, 1863. 



Missed in action at Chancellorsville. 



80 



Co. K — Continued. 



*Lukeiis, Charles 

i,awreiice, Chri.st'r. 
*Ivittle, Samuel 


Private 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Laiutiiiit^, John. . 


...do.... 


Lucas, Charles 


...do.... 


*Lainborn, Marshall. 

Lancaster, W. W 

*Ludwick, Isaiah.. 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


*]\Iilligan, vSinith A.. 

Miller, William vS... 
*M'Fadden, Milton... 

Northanier, And'w.. 
^Nicholson, John A.. 
*Ne\vlin, Elisha H... 

Osborn, George L... 
*Pvle, Joshua 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Peters, Isaac 


...do.... 


*Paiste, William H... 
Rav, James 


...do.... 
...do.... 


*Regester, Henry H.. 

Rickcr, George W... 

*Reese, Judson 


...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Stroud, Joseph J 


...do.... 


*Stroud, Joshua K.. 


...do... 


Shaw, William P.... 

Sharp, B. Frank 

Shoemaker, Geo.W. 
*Smith, Wm. H. H... 
*Shaw, William 


...do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 


■*Stroud, John W 


..do.... 


Woodward, Ellis P.. 
Wilkinson, Wm. D.. 
Walters, Jesse 


..do.... 
..do.... 
..do.... 


Walton. James B 


..do.... 


Yoder, Andrew 


..do... 






* Deceased. 





Died at Harper's Ferry, Dec. 6, 1S62. 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certilicate, Feb. 16, 1863. 



Died Sept. 30, of wounds received at Antietam. 



Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, 1863. 
Disch'gdon Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 26, 1863. 
Died at Maryland Heights, Nov. 30, 1862. 
Died at Harper's Ferry, Dec. 7, 1862. 



8r 




Colonel of the 124th Pcnna. Volunteers and of the 29th Penna. Vol. Militia. 



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WILLIAM S. ABLE 
Second Lieute;iant, Company G. 





WM. H. LITZKNBERG 
Second Lieutenant, Company B. 



JOS. G. CUM.MIXS 
Second Lieutenant, Company D. 




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W.M. S. SNARE 
Second Lieutenant, Comjiany I. 





HENRY C. WEr.LS 
Second Lieutenant, Company K. 



W M. H. HOWARD. Ir. 
Musician, Company I). 




BENJAMIN T. GREEN 
Sergeant, Company D, i24tli. 
Captain, Independent Company. 





WAI^KER Y. WEEES 
Comjiany D. 



JOHN PUGH 

Company D, I24tli. 

Corporal, Company I, 29th Penna. Emergency. 




1. WALTON MARTIN 
Company F. 




HARMON G. BOND 
Company A. 




\VM. II. BEATTY 
Corporal, Comjiany D. 










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Company D. 





WM. A. DOBBINS 
Company B. 



JOEL. S. GREENFIELD 
Company C. 




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AND GRANDSON, GKO. P. BIODLi:, IQOO. 



REMINlSCExXCES OF COMRADE GEORGE D. MILLER. 




Cu.MKADii George D. Mie- 
i.i:r, of Company D, in De- 
cember, 1906, related to the 
historian the following inci- 
dent : — 

At Sonth Mountain, 
while on the march from 
X'irginia to Antietam we 
saw a cartload of limbs — 
mostly legs that had been 
taken oft" above the knee; 
it made a great impression 
un me, as losing a limb was 
the onlv thing 1 dreaded 
when 1 decided to enlist. 

At Antietam, on the 17th 
of September, when I was 
wounded and saw the hole 
in the front of my coat, and 
put my hand to my back, 
I thought it was all up with me, and for a month it seemed impos- 
sible that I could get well, and when I took a turn for the better 
it was a great disappointment, as I was in. hopes 1 was through m\- 
earthly troubles. 

I still have the blouse, with a half moon out of the front and 
a large hole in the back. The ball entered above the stomach, 
coming out between the lower two ribs, cutting the c(^lon, from 
which it discharged for ten days or so. Dr. Linton, of our com- 
panv. drew a silk handkerchief through the opening, which was 
about all that could be done. This would not be considered 
scientific treatn:ent in these "microbe days." 

After receiving m\- wound Conn"ade Charles Eckfeldt, at my 
solicitation, hel]^ed me oft' with my belt and knapsack, and as the 
barrel of his gun had been flattened by a ball, he took mine, and 
when I left the gutter on the pike, he was firing away, but was 
never heard of again. His father searched every place; opening- 
graves, etc. 



1S61. 



105 



SIMON LITZENBERG, 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL. 

Son of Major George Litzenberg, an ofificer in the War of 
1812, was born June 26th, 1815. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, he recruited a company in 
the Borough of Media, Pennsylvania, under the name of the 
"Media Guards," and when the 124th was organized, this com- 
pany became Company B of that regiment, and he was commis- 
sioned Captain August 9th, 1862, and Lieutenant-Colonel August 
1 6th, 1862. 

A letter written after the battle of Antietam by the Deputy 
Secretary of State, which enclosed his commission, says: "I do 
not know but you should feel a little proud to have received it 
on the field ; upon a proof of your true soldiership, than to have 
obtained it in advance of any opportunity to have displayed your 
qualities. I cannot refrain from saying to you what has been 
reported to me by many in your regiment, privates and officers, 
that your conduct and valor were praised by all." 

At the expiration of term of service, he returned to Chester 
and resumed his profession as architect. 

He was a member of Wilde Post, No. 25, G. A. R., and served 
the city of Chester as Chief of Police for two terms. 

He died in Chester, November 27th, 1884, and was buried with 
military honors at Media Cemetery. 

Litzenberg Post, No. 480, of Clifton Heights, was named in 
his honor, and as a mark of appreciation, his family presented 
the Post with his cherished sword. Upon the disbandment of the 
Post this relic was deposited with Bradbury Post, No. 149, of 
Media, where it now remains. 



106 




"V^-^^^^^^p-^^ 



LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, I24TH REGT. 



REAIIXISCE.XCE. 

William G. Kxowles. Sergeant of Company H, under date of 
lanuarv 12, 1907. furnished the historian with the followino- : 

As we approached the Antietam battletield, he was so much 
inipressed with the behef that he would be wounded in the fighi, 
that he took up the different parts of his body in detail, selecting 
the part that would inconvenience him least front a wound, and 
finally selected the left arm. 

We had just arrived at the front ; the regiment was on its knees, 
and as we turned to look down the line, the enemy opened an 
enfilading fire from a battery on right of our line, got our range 
at once, and a shell in passing grazed his left arm. breaking the 
bone and bruising the fiesh to the bone, the circular motion of 
the shell tearing his clothing into strips. He was taken to the rear 
and lav twenty-four hours without attention ; becoming so stififened 
he was unable to move his body, proving to him the left arm 
theory was a fiction. 

He was carted to a grist mill at Sharpsburg, where he received 
medical attention. On the first visit of the doctor to him he was 
surprised to hear him call a consultant, when others he thought 
more seriously wounded were passed with single attention. He 
found it was a question whether amputation was necessary, but 
the wound being so near the shoulder socket rendered amputation 
dangerous, and he was passed for the time. 

That afternoon he was transferred to the Court House at 
Hagerstown. and in a few days, after special treatment and the 
infiuence of friends, was fortunate in reaching his home with 
orders to report to the nearest hospital. 

Sergeant Knowles considers the saving of his arm and. perhaps, 
his life, due to the kinthiess and interest of Dr. Kerlin, of Media, 
whose treatment enabled him to reach home. The injury to his 
arm was such as to prevent him from rejoining the regiment. 



ICQ 



REiMINISCENCE. 




Danid S. Wilkinson, Cor- 
poral of Company A, furnished 
the following extracts from his 
diary, telling of the march to An- 
tietam, and how he was wounded in 
that battle. 

6th. While in camp near Fort 
Blenker, in Virginia, we received 
marching orders, with instructions to 
leave tents and knapsacks in camp. We 
started about sundown, and crossed the 
Potomac at Georgetown into Marjdand, 
and kept on the march until 3 o'clock 
1862. next morning. I will never forget that 

night, 
/th. We took up the march about 7 A. M. ; marched all day, and slept 
in a potato patch. I had boiled potatoes for supper. 

8th. We left potato camp in forenoon, and marched through Rockville; 
we only made about 3 miles. 

9th. We started at 10 A. M., and marched aliout 10 miles. I saw a 
whole lot of soldiers. 

loth. I was on guard all day; we marched about 15 miles, and I went 
to sleep without any supper. 

nth. Started on march without breakfast; we passed through the town 
of Damascus and encamped for the night. It rained all night and I got 
wet. I was so hungry that Morgan Pinkerton and I broke camp and found 
an old house in which an aged couple lived ; they baked us a great, big 
corn cake and boiled string beans and potatoes. We furnished cofifee and 
sugar and we had a good time, and gave the old folks a dollar. We ate 
so much that we could hardly get to camp in the dark and rain. 

I2th. Started in morning and marched all day; stopped near the Blue 
Ridge Mountains. I will never forget that day — tired, hungry, and not 
enough water to drink. I came near giving out, but I stuck to it. 

13th. Started at sunrise; marched all day, and stopped near Frederick 
City for the night. Lieutenant Isaac Finch and I went into town and 
found an old Chester County man, and he gave us a first-class supper. 

14th. Sunday. Started in morning, marched through Frederick City. 
and crossed Blue Ridge Mountains. We could hear the booming of 
cannon most all day. After a very hard day we stopped for the night about 
ic o'clock. 



no 



David S. U'i kinsdii. 
15th. Marched a short distance early in morning, and stopped to get 
something to eat. 1 found a cornfield, made a fire, and filled myself full 
of corn and coffee. Started again about 10 A. M., and passed through 
Boonesborough to about 2 miles beyond; stopped for the night in a very 
pretty part of the country. 

i6th. Started in morning and could hear cannon booming in direction 
of Harper's Ferry; shells were flying through the air, and I saw one burst 
and kill two men. All 1 could get to eat during the day was a few army 
crackers, but in the evening live steers were driven into camp and killed. 
Started march again at 11 P. M., and marched until 3 A. M., when we 
lay down in the mud in a plowed field. 

17th. As soon as daylight came the ball was opened; a shot was fired 
and I heard a soldier say: "Hello, do you hear that? Some fellow is 
out shooting squirrels this morning." But that single shot was soon 
followed by a volley, and we knew that a fight was on and that we were 
near it. We were hurried forward, and Company A passed through 
Miller's yard, crossed the pike, past the barn into the field, advanced part 
way up the hill, and lay down. We were soon ordered up, and the Rebs 
fired at us ; one ball took off my cap and nearly took my little finger, and 
one passed through the right sleeve of my coat. We were again ordered 
to he down, and in a few^ minutes were ordered forward. I had fired 
about three loads when a ball went through my leg. Some comrades 
helped me to the rear of a farm-house about 2 miles away. From there 
I was taken to Hagerstown. 

26th. I was taken to Chambersburg, and on the 29th to Harrisburg. 
My leg gathered and I had intermittent fever. 
Noz'ember. 

15th. I was discharged, and on November 21st was sent home to 
Coatesville. The doctor said I would never get well. 

[Note: — When Corporal Wilkinson sent the above records to 
the historian in December. 1906, he said, "the doctor evidently 
didn't know, for I am here yet."] 



Ill 



REAIIXISCEXCE. 

JoKL HoLLixcsw'ORTH, Coi'poral of Company D, relates the 
followiiii;" incidents : 

The comrades who took part in the march from Viri^inia to 
Antietam will, no donht, reniember that we were withont tents, 
and that when we halted, near Frederick City, with a prospect 
of a few hours' rest, some hustled for water to wash with, and 
others for fence rails, straw, etc., to make beds. Among the 
fortunate ones (or rather unfortunate as it afterward proved to 
be) was Jack, who had spied a straw stack, and the way to it 
was up a steep hill ; Jack made the climb and was almost back 
to camp with two large bundles when he met General Meade. 
The General said, — "Young man, where did you get that straw?" 
Jack replied, "up there on the hill." The General said, — "Well, 
you take it back." Jack said, — "General, I suppose I will have to 
obey your order, but if you were not wearing shoulder straps, 

I'll be d if I would." The General dismounted, pulled off 

his coat, threw it on the saddle, turned to Jack and said, "now, 
young man, the straps are out of the way, you take that straw 
back." Jack took the straw back, and had to make two trips to 
doit. 

It is needless to say that there was niore than a little profanity 
used in the two trips, and I doubt if the old fellows at the present 
time could fill it in properly. 

During the Chancellorsville campaign. General Slocum and 
staff were standing on a bluft' near Germania Ford, looking; at 
the engineer corps throwing a pontoon bridge across the Rap- 
]3ahannock River. I walked over to see what was going on. 
While there a small pig came running up the bank in front of me. 
I ran my bayonet through it, and, shouldering my gun, was 
marching off with the pig, wdien one of the staff officers spied 
me and said, — Young man, it is very evident you have done that 
trick before. I told him that I had often practised it, but this 
was the tirst time I had been successful, and I told him if he 
would examine the pig he would find that it wasn't a tame one, 
but was a "razor back" that had been scared out of the woods. 



J 12 




C^^/^^U/ .Vv /^^<^-^t_<^/<_ 



MAJOR-GENERAL GEO. G. MEADE. 




i9o6. 



REMINISCENCES OF WILLIAM W. POTTS, 

SERGEANT COMPANY F. 
\\OUNDED AT BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 




\\'hen the 124th Regiment was en- 
camped at Arhngton, the night after 
the second battle of Bull Run, orders 
were received to send a detail under a 
commissioned officer to form a picket 
line in the rear of Arlington. A 
tletail was made from Company F, 
under comn^'and of Captain Crosby — 
the line was formed as ordered. It 
was a rainy night and at about 10 
o'clock I was ordered to report to the 
Captain ; he said "Sergeant, I am going 

back to camp. I'll be ■ if I 

1863. will stay out here in the rain, and if 

a commissioned officer is needed dur- 
ing the night. I order you to represent me." About midnight 
there was an alarm on the line. I went to investigate and found 
a Brigadier-General in command of a brigade, who wished to 
pass through the lines. He told me that he was just in from Bull 
Run and had orders to report to Chain Bridge. I asked for the 
countersign. He said he hadn't any. I asked him what regiments 
were in his brigade, and he told me what they were ( I think they 
were mostly New England regiments). I went along the line 
and questioned the men and found his statements correct. I 
told him that I found everything all right, but as I couldn't give 
him the countersign, I would lead him through the lines, which 
I proceeded to do, and as we were halted by the guards, I went 
forward and gave the countersign and told them what was com- 
ing. When we got through the lines and I was about to bid him 
good night, he asked me what regiment I belonged to. I told him 
Company F, 124th Penna. He said, "Sergeant, you should have 
a commission, and I will see that you get one." He had been 
drowning his sorrow at the defeat at Bull Run and was slightly 
elated as a result. I haven't received that commission vet. 



117 



I heard the next clay that the 53CI Pennsylvania Regiment (Col, 
John R. Brooke), was camped in our vicinity; as the Colonel and 
I were comrades in the first call for 75,000 troops, I went over to 
see him. I found him stiff and ragged ; one eagle shot from his 
shoulder, and the other hanging by the tip of its wing. While 
we were talking, a motley, ragged crowd came marching past, 
some of the men leading one and two-year-old colts, and an old 
fellow on a horse leading some ; the man and the horses were in 
keeping with the crowd that was following ; he wore an old straw 
hat, with a loose crown and a tuft of hair sticking through the 
opening. I asked Col. Brooke if that motley crowd was the 
ragged militia. His reply was "don't you say anything against 
those boys — that is fighting Dick and the Irish Brigade." Fight- 
ing Dick was General Richardson, who was wounded at Antietam, 
and died shortly after. 

Col. Brooke is now Major-General John R. Brooke, retired. He 
was one of the volunteer officers of the Civil War, and as one of 
his men expressed, "he was one of the kind that said come on." 

Shortly after the above, we started on the march for Antietam ; 
we halted at Rockville to let Burnside's Corps pass. I remember 
the halt at Frederick, and the wading through the IMonocacy Creek. 
How we marched up the valleys, and down the valleys, and had 
constantly in sight that bald-headed mountain, sometimes march- 
ing toward it and sometimes away from it, the boys asking what 
they were trying to do with them. The only solution we could get 
was that it was some of McClellan's strategy — that he was march- 
ing us around to fool the Rebs. We could hear the cannons boom- 
ing in the distance. 

I remember how slippery the soles of our shoes got from tramp- 
ing through the fields and how, when our toes would catch in 
a dew-berry vine, we would pitch headlong, too tired and stiff 
to recover, and how when we halted for a rest, we would stretch out 
on our backs, and when the order was given to "fall in," we wofild 
roll over and climb u]) our musket to get on our feet again. We 
marched from 7 A. M. until 2 A. ]\[. before going into camp. 
Some of our mess were completely played out, and their feet 
were bleeding. They begged us to fall out as they could not 
go any further. About 10 o'clock P. M. a number of us fell 
out and got together in a worm fence corner. We laid there, 
intending to wait for the troops to pass so that we might cook 

118 



some coffee, but we soon fell asleep, showing that we were more 
tired than liunyry. About midnight we were awakened by some- 
thing tramping over us. We thought we had the night-mare, but 
it proved to be an army mule ; we heard a party searching for 
it and we prodded it with our bayonets, as we did not wish to be 
found in such company ; in fact, we didn't want to be found at 
all. When daylight came, not having any toilet to make, we 
cooked some grub and started to find our regiment. We had not 
gone far when we were overtaken by Lieutenant Whitman, ot 
General Crawford's stafif. I had partaken quite freely of cider, 
having some left in niv canteen, I treated the Lieutenant, and 
appointed him "Gigadier Brindle" to take us into camp. Aftei 
he had drained the canteen he seemed c^uite elated over the 
appointment, and we started ; we gathered up stragglers as we 
marched along, and when we arrived at camp we had more men 
than the Colonel went into camp with the night before. 

We learned that the cannons we heard the day before were 
at the battle of South ^Mountain, and that we were the reserve, 
and that it was a part of little Mac's strategy to tire us out 
so that we would have to fight if we got into it as we were too tired 
to run away. 

I must tell you more about the cider incident. Before the 
Lieutenant had caught up to us, we passed an orchard, and a lot 
of us went for the apples. We had been subsisting on green corn 
for several days and we thought a change of diet would be bene- 
ficial, especially as the corn had got too old to eat. When I 
went into the orchard, I found something I had never seen 
before — a large tub on a bench, with one thick stave and a plug 
in tlie stave; an earthen crock and a hammer were near by. ( )n 
investigating, I discovered that the plug had been hammered. 
and by gently tapping it upward a small stream of cider came 
out. On tasting it I found it O. K. and partook freely of it. 1 
then filled my canteen and after that the crock. By that time the 
boys had gathered a goodly pile of strawberry apples. I yelled 
to them that I had found some bully cider — they left the apples 
and made for the cider. I gave them the crock, and while they 
were enjoying themselves over it I went for the apples, and soon 
had my haversack full. 

We marched so fast the dav before that our wagon train coul<l 
not keep up with us. and the men went into camp very hungr}'. 

119 



During" the inarch Ck-iicral Crawford rode past, and some of the 
hovs told him tliey were hungry and wanted something to eat — 
he answered them l)y calHng them "Pennsylvania cattle."' Some 
of the l)o}s threatened to get square with him if opportunity 
offered. 1 told them that was very wrong, but if 1 was aiming 
at a Reh and the General got in the way, T would not stop firing 
on his account. 

When I got to camp I saw a house in the distance and I started 
for it to see if I could Imy something to eat ( I had found that 
cider and apples were not very lasting). Just as I was going in 
the gate, Crawford and his staff rode up. He called to know 
where I was going, and I told him I was hunting water. He told 
me to go back to my regiment. As I felt at that time, I lielieve 
if he had been alone I would have shot him ; as it was, the odds 
were against me. ( )n the way back to camp I saw some wheat 
stacks, and I shelled out enough to till my tin cup, and as soon as 
I reached camp I started a fire to cook the wheat. The boys 
crowded around to see what I was cooking — they also were experi- 
encing the fact that nature abhors a vacuum, especially when it is 
under the cartridge belt. I told them T was making a rice pudding 
and pointed to the wheat stacks, and in less time than it takes to 
tell it, the stacks were so covered with hungrv boys, it looked, in 
the distance, as if an immense flock of crows had lit on them. 

I remember the night march, with orders not to let our tin cups 
rattle, and how we could hear the cavalry horses and the rattle 
of sabres, and how we laid down in a potato patch, with orders to 
sleep on our arms. I awoke from a troubled sleep and told Chal- 
font, who was lying beside me, that I had a presentiment that I 
would be killed or wounded on the morrow. He said he did not 
see how I could go into battle feeling that way. and I told him 
if I had a good excuse for staying out, T would not go in. We 
were awakened at daybreak by the pickets firing. We found that 
our camp was close to the Rebel lines. We were soon ordered to 
fall in and were marched in an easterlv direction over to the Miller 
farm, where oin- lines were formed, and we advanced in line of 
battle along the Sharpsburg pike ; Companies A, D and F being on 
the right of the pike. I remember a Colonel or General riding up 
to our line and telling us to hurry up, as his men were getting cut 
to pieces. Feeling that we might experience the same, T had no 
desire to accept this invitation. About this time things began to 

120 



get warm— our Captain thought it was hot. and remarked, it was 
too hot for him, and if we wanted to go in we might, but he would 

be if he would, and he retired to the rear; as nobody 

seemed to take command and. as I had been drill-master of the 
company and acquainted with the drill from previous service. I 
ordered the company to keei) dressed with the colors which we 
could see above the corn on the other side of the pike. The companv 
was lying down, and two of us started out in front to find out where 
the balls were coming from ; we found that some bushes along a 
ridge of rocks were full of Rebels, and they hit us both. T think 
it was "Bill" Dollar that was with me. and they hit him on a 
heavy bowie knife that I had given him to carry for me— it was 
bent nearly double, and, no doubt, saved his life. They hit me 
on the instep as my foot was raised to take a step: "Hiir" dropped 
his musket and started for the company on a limp, holding his 
side. I followed suit, limping also, and when I reached the com- 
pany, I turned my musket and ran the bayonet in the ground and 
kept on. Some of the boys called to me not to throw mv gun 
away, and I told them T had enough to carry without the gun. 
They said, afterward, they did not know T was wounded. "but 
thought I was mocking "Bill." I put my arms around two of 
the boys and hopped along between them— one of them was Chal- 
font. and he reminded me of what I had told him in the night, 
that I would be killed or wounded. In the excitement of the morn- 
ing I forgot all aijout it. Finding I was losing much blood, we 
stopped along the pike and made a twister of my handkerchief and 
a stick. Just as we were starting on. a shell struck in 
the pike ahead of us. about where we would have been 
if we had not stopped. As it looked unhealthy down the pike, 
we turned to the right and went through a hollow in the woods. 
I was sitting on a musket with my arms around their necks and 
when we reached the other side of the woods, we found an ambu- 
lance with two badly wounded men in it, just starting to the fieki 
hospital. I asked the driver if he had room for me, and he said 
he had if T could sit alongside of him, which T was thankful to do. 
We soon reached the hospital and I was carried in and laid on the 
porch. In a few minutes a ^^lassachusetts woman brought me 
some crackers and raspberry vinegar. Shortly after that" Chap- 
lain Evans called and told me the Colonel had just been brought 
m wounded. I told him to give my compliments to the Colonel 



I2T 



and tell him that 1 would report later in person. Chaplain Evans 
called again in the afternoon and told me that the Colonel had sent 
for an ambtilance and intended to leave the field hospital. I 
requested the Chaplain to ask him if he had room for me; he soon 
returned and reported that the Colonel said I could go along. 

When the ambulance came the Colonel and I were carried out 
and put in. After we had gone a short distance, we were on high 
ground, and the driver called our attention to a beautiful sight. 
From our elevation we could see the two lines of battle advancing 
with a cornfield between them that obstructed the view of each 
other. I told the Colonel that the only thing that detracted from 
the view was that we were right in line for the high shots, when 
the firing would commence. Colonel told the driver not to tarry 
any longer, and we had not proceeded far when we met fresh 
troops coming up, wdio, when they saw the ambulance with 
wounded in it, halted and broke open the ammunition boxes and 
filled their cartridge boxes. 

About dusk we reached a nice looking house. We halted and 
the Colonel arranged for the night. The next morning w^e went 
to Boonesboro and jmt up at the hotel. I sent for the landlord 
and told him that m_\- cash on hand amounted to fifteen cents, and 
that I would like to stay with him until I could communicate with 
my family. His answer was that I could stay as long as I wanted 
to and wdien I wanted to leave he would furnish me the money 
to reach home. I told him that was more than I could ask of a 
stranger. The next day (Friday, September ujth), a party of 
Free ^Masons, from West Chester, put in an appearance, looking 
after Brother Masons. They gave the Colonel $ioo, and after 
they left, the Colonel rolled $25 in a ball and threw it at me. 
telling me to get home as soon as I could. I gave the colored man 
money to buy me a citizen's dress. It was all right, except the 
vest, and that was large enough for a 200-poun(l man with a bay 
window — he forgot a cap, so I traded caps with the darkey. I 
also had him buv me a pair of crutches, wdiich T still iiave. and 
they have often been in active service in the neighborhood. 

The next morning, I engaged a man to take me to Hagerstown. 
I sent for the landlord to settle my bill, but when the Colonel found 
out what I was doing, he said he would attend to that and told 
me to keep my money, as I might need all I had to get home with.. 
Shortly after starting for Hagerstown. we saw where the Rebs 

122 



had encamped, sleeping' mi piles of hay in the fence corners. I 
asked my driver to get me some to make me more comfortable, 
Init when he told me they were full of graybacks I changed my 
mind, thinking it were better to "suffer the ills we have, than 
Mv to those we know not of." In the seat in front of me was a 
wounded Captain from Philadelphia — a three years' man. The 
militia men wanted to know how I got w'ounded when in citizen's 
dress. ^Iv yarn was that I was visiting a regiment, and when 
I saw the Colonel wounded and went in to help carry him oft', 
I got shot — the three years' man said, "that story is all right 
for the militia, but an old soldier won't swallow it." Then I told 
him the truth and my reason for the citizen's dress. I asked 
him to see me through, which he did. We arrived at Chambers- 
burg after dark and stopped out on the main track, and in a 
short time a man came along with a lantern and asked if there 
was any wounded in the car. I told him I was, and that I could 
not walk — when he held his lantern up, I recognized him and 
asked him if he was not in the Lochiel Guards in the three 
months service ; he said he was, and I told him of relatives I 
had in the company and that I had met him in the Treasury 
Building at Washington, where they were quartered. He told 
me to wait and he woukl have a wagon take me to their hospital, 
which proved to be the third story of the Town Hall. Well, I 
had a happy time in getting up those stairs, it reminds me of the 
old darkey on the tread-mill. 

\Mien I entered the room the first one to greet me was my 
friend, the Captain, and he had a mattress reserved for me along 
side of his. There was an old minister in the room as chaperone 
for a partv of sweet young ladies — so they looked to me. The 
old fellow handed me a tract — it was on lying. As I had been 
shooting off my story, I thought it inappropriate at that time. 
( )n my left, there was an old fellow who was shot through the 
hand and while the surgeons were dressing his wound, he kept 
groaning and patting the floor with his foot. When my turn 
came, T turned on my side and cracked jokes with the Captain, 
and when they were through, which I could always tell by their 
pinning the bandage, as I was fearful they would stick me, I 
thanked them ( as a citizen ) . While they were dressing my 
wound, the dear girls were looking on, and it was amusing to 
hear their exclamations, as, ( )h ! ain't it awful — Oh! how he 



must suffer, etc. The minister said to me, "You are a brave 
fellow!" I asked \vh\. He said the old fellow's wound was not 
near as bad as mine, and while it was being dressed he was grunt- 
ing and groaning all the time. I told him that he watched the 
surgeons and saw when thev were going to hurt him, and got 
his groan in at the proper time, while I joked with the Captain 
and did not see when they were going to hurt me, and the hurt 
was over before I could get a groan in. He said, "You are a 
philosopher." I told him he was the first man to call me that. 
A sweet girl sat down by my pillow — told me she was from 
Maryland, and that I had been fighting for her home. I had 
made a confidant of her on the citizen cjuestion. The clock struck 
lO and the old minister and his angels departed. Bright and early 
next morning I was up and started oft' to find the depot. I 
found to get down those stairs was a serious question, as I was 
not used to my crutches, and there were no banisters. I scratched 
my head for ideas — they came — I made a sled out of my crutches 
and started to slide down the stairs — was congratulating myself 
on the scheme, when one of the crutches turned, caught and 
stopped, I didn't. It was a reminder of my latter end. I sent 
the crutches ahead and followed after on hands and foot, step 
by step. I found the depot and a Mason from Pottstown, looking 
after his Brother Masons in Col. Brooke's 53d Regiment. Train 
arrived from Harrisburg with Governor Curtin going to the 
battlefield. After waiting several hours, there was a train stopped 
on the main line several blocks away from the depot, uith a plowed 
field between. I^Iy Masonic friend started with me for the train, 
and part way across the plowed field, I gave our, beirig weak, 
and my crutches sinking in the soft ground. I handed the crutches 
to my friend, and started to crawl. A lot of farmers on the train 
that had been visiting the battlefield, seeing my plight, jumped off 
and ran over and picked me up and put me on board — they could 
not do enough for me. They spread their blankets on the freight 
car door, and, I tell you, I was happy. I laid on my back and 
cracked jokes with them. One farmer from Shippensburg told 
me he had a boy in the army about my age, and insisted on 
my going home with him. He had a good doctor and would take 
the saiue care of me as if it was his boy. I thanked him, but 
told him I wanted to hurry home, as in a short time I would not 
be able to travel. In time we reached Carlisle — train stopped in 

124 



centre of town. I was getting pretty hungry, as I hadn't eaten 
that day. I crawled to the freight-car door. Several young 
ladies on the pavement sent a little girl over to ask me if I was 
wounded. She called hack, "Yes, he is wounded." Then they 
all came over to my door with lots of questions — presently an 
old German woman came over with her hands under her apron. 
She asked. "Are you hungry?" And when T told her I had not 
eaten that day. she said "The poor child !" and handed me a 
package she had under her apron. When the young ladies found 
I was hungry, they all started for their homes, and in a short 
time I had provisions enough to last me a week. Being too polite 
to eat in their company, I laid at the door and chatted with them, 
endeavoring to answer their questions, wdien I heard from the 
car door, the exclamation, "Well, old schoolmate, what are vou 
doing here?" I asked if a cousin of mine was about. He said 
he just went up the street. He called from the car door, tell 

his cousin is here wounded. The word was passed 

along until it reached him, but too late. After we started, I took 
account of stock. I found the German woman's package con- 
tained two' large slices of bread and preserves, and about six 
inches of bologna sausage — the girls brought pies and cakes. 
I divided with some militia men that were on the car. I had to 
change cars at Bridgeport, opposite Harrisburg, as they were only 
going to take a passenger car that was in front to Harrisburg. 
In it I met a friend that told me that a dear friend was in Harris- 
burg assisting my uncle, Hon. H. Jones Brooke, in feeding the 
militia. I sent for him and his first worrls were. "Your sister 
is here waiting for you. She was going to the battlefield with 
liniment and bandages and other supplies, when advised by Mr. 
Brooke to wait in Harrisburg until they heard from a party 
of Masons, who had gone to the battlefield several days ago to 
look after the regiment." On their arrival thev reported having 
seen me at Boonesboro, and I was making my way to Harrisburg. 
Sister did not recognize me on crutches, looking thin and haggard, 
until I was close to her. W'hen I got in her care T went to 
sleep, and slept for twenty-four hours. I had lost much sleep 
as I had to stay awake to keep water on my wound. As I had 
sent no word home, I was puzzled to know how my sister knew 
of my being wounded. I had written a telegram to send home, 
and one to friends in Philadelphia, intending to take the train to 

I2t 



that city from Harrisburg. Michael Langham, a man who had 
left wife and children and went with me to Harrisburg to enlist 
and was one of my mess, with another of our mess started to 
hunt me up, after the battle, and in their search they met Chal- 
font, and were told that I was wounded in the foot, and that lie 
had helped me to the hospital. Langham wrote a letter to his 
wife telling her that he was all right, but that I was wounded in 
the foot. He did not know how badly as he had not seen me. 
After he had finished his letter he saw two gentlemen crossing the 
battlefield and asked them if they would mail it for him. They 
said they would, and looking at the address — Norristown — said 
they were from Chester County. Father, going to Norristown 
on Saturday morning, was given the letter for Langham's wife, 
as it was in his care. He immediately drove home and gave her 
the letter. She told him of my being wounded. By one o'clock, 
sister was at Radnor, with grip packed, ready to go to the 
front. So you can see how surprised I was to find her in Harris- 
burg, when I arrived there Sunday afternoon. In her care I felt 
my troubles about over. My first act was to report to the Govern- 
ment Hospital, and they sent a surgeon to see me. He took my 
regiment, company and character of my wound — from that time 
I ceased to be a citizen, and became a soldier again. 

I attribute my life to the kindness of Colonel Hawley — who was 
to me almost a stranger, as I had never spoken to him before the 
morning of the battle. He has placed me under a debt of gratitude 
which I can never repay, but I feel confident that in the last muster 
in the great Beyond, he will receive his reward. I am reminded of 
Leigh Hunt's poem : — 

"And, lo ! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest." 



126 




5 



oCt^j^OAJ^ 




EDWARD T. HARLAN. 

A private in Company E, of the 124th; was promoted to Cap- 
tain's clerk and served with the reg-iment (hn-ing- the full term of 
enlistment. When Governor Curtin issued his proclamation, in 
June. 1863, for 50,000 men to serve during the emergencv. Com- 
rade Harlan assisted in recruiting a company that became Com- 
pany E, of the 29th Pennsylvania A'olunteer Militia, and he was 
elected ist Lieutenant in said company. For several years prior to 
the printing of this history he has served as secretary of the 124th 
Regimental Association. 

The following extracts are from his diary : — 

Alt gust, 1862. 

4th. Several of us Hamorton folks went up to West Chester to see 
about volunteering. Very exciting times ; Government has ordered a draft. 

6th. 1 went up to West Chester again to-day. Men are volunteering 
very fast. 

gth. I went up to \\'est Chester; the volunteers left there in the after- 
noon for Harrisburg. I went with them, and arrived at 10 o'clock at 
night ; had supper and slept in the Capitol. 

nth. Left Harrisburg at i A. M. ; went to Wilmington in afternoon. 
I concluded to go back and try to get in Captain Otley's Company. 

13th. Father, mother and I left for Harrisburg, and arrived about 
noon ; went out to camp. Captain Otley wanted another man ; I got 
examined, and was sworn in ; had hard work to get it done. This is my 
first night in camp. 

14th. I received my uniform; marched into Harrisburg and got our 
guns. Ordered to pack up ; were ready at 4 P. AI., and marched to cars ; 
started about 12, midnight. 

15th. Arrived at Baltimore at 9 A. M.. and at Washington at 6 P. M. ; 
had supper and put up for night at soldiers' quarters. 

i6th. Started for Virginia about 2 P. ]\I. ; marched about 6 miles, and 
encamped at sundown. Had to wait for our tents. It was about 9 P. M. 
before we had them pitched and our supper over. Before starting from 
Washington I went over the Capitol ; it is very large. 

17th. My first Sunday in camp; it did not seem much like one. 

i8th. Lieutenant took us out to practice stacking arms; were drilled in 
afternoon. 

19th. Had our regimental drill by regular drill master; we were rather 
green. 

22d. Was detailed on guard this morning for first time. It rained, 
morning and night. Not much .sport in guarding. 

23d. Had another regimental drill this afternoon by a little Dutchman. 

24th. Moved camp about 3 miles to a splendid place near Fairfax 
Seminary. 

9 129 



25tli. 1 went about z miles to see some of McClelland men who were 
l)eing slii])pecl back to Alexandria; they look very wretched. 

27th. Our company went on patrol duty; I had to keep awake all night. 

2.Sth. We were ordered to fall in line al)out i o'clock in the night in 
great haste; were marched up to the ca])tain's tent and given 30 rounds 
of cartridges. Some were frightened. 

29th. This forenoon the regiment was ordered to fall in line in great 
haste; we were marched aI)0Ut 100 yards, and then brought back to camp, 
dreat excitement. It was done to see how (|uickly we could fall in. Some 
thought we were going right into a fight. 

30th. A great fight going on near Manassas ; could hear the cannons 
very plainly. 

31st. Fighting still going on. Our army had to fall back. 

Scplci)\hcv. 

1st. They are still fighting. General Stonewall Jackson is nearly sur- 
rounded ; it is reported that he has 300,000 men ; they are fighting desper- 
ately. 

2d. We had no breakfast this morning — ran out of bread, none in 
camp ; cpiite an exciting time for a little while. The fight still waging, our 
men in front are falling back ; great number of wagons pass our camp. 
We fell back to rear of Fort Blenker in evening. 

6th. Receivcil orders to get ready to move; we packed knapsacks and 
struck tents; leaving them in camp, we started at 7 P. M., and marched 
about iS miles; some of us much fatigued, lay on ground two hours, and 
started again. 

[No'i'iv i!Y Historian — The above is a record of the commence- 
ment of the march to Antietam, and as it is but a repetition of the 
details as furnished by Sergeants Rroomhah and Stager, the 
intervening dates are omitted and the chary of Comrade Harlan 
resumed, commencing with September i/th.] 

17th. We were awakened about 4 o'clock in the morning by picket 
firing, and were ordered to fall into line, without breakfast. We were 
marched in line of battle to the field and put right in the fight. 

The regiment became divided in passing the Miller farm Iniildings, and 
met the enemy face to face in -x cornfield. We lay there for some time, 
while the fire from both armies was passing over us. Being close upon 
the enemy, our fire had a telling efi^ect, causing them to fall back, after 
which we advanced some distance, and then retired to the protection of 
a battery. 

(leneral Mansfield having been killed and our colonel wounded, Captain 
Yarnall, Company D. assumed command of the left of the regiment. 
While we were resting. Genera! Hancock approached us. and the follow- 
ing dialogue took place: 

Genl. 11. To what regiment do you belong? 

Ans. 124th Pennsylvania. 

130 



Genl. H. Where is your colonel? 

Ans. He is wounded and taken from the field. 

Genl. 11. Where is your lieutenant-colonel? 

Ans. Our regiment got divided, and he must he with the other part. 

Genl. II. Where is your major? 

Ans. Don't know. 

Genl. II. Who in the h — 1 has command of you? 

Ans. Captain Yarnall. 

Genl. H. Send him to me. 
The captain came forward, and after salutations : 

Genl. H. Have you command of these men? 

Capt. Yes, sir. 

Genl. H. You are Pennsy]\ania men and I am General Hancock, a 
Pennsylvania man, and if you are not with your connnand, I will take 
charge of you, and will ask you to support my hattery. 

He ordered us into position, and said that he had never yet ]o^\ a piece, 
and did not want to lose one that day. He said he would not call 
us unless he needed us, and if he did, he wanted us to come, and come 
a-yelling, for the Rebels were the devil for shot and shell, but they could 
not stand the bayonet charge. 

The enemy had massed in the woods in the rear of Dunker Church, ant! 
in the afternoon were drawn out, but with the successful management of 
the battery they were forced to retreat. So we were not called upon to 
make the charge, much to the honor of General Hancock and our 
satisfaction. 

i8th. Fighting was not resumed. Our men engaged in carrying off 
the wounded and burying the dead. It was a terrible battle. The deacf 
and wounded lay thick on the ground. We threw away our blankets 
yesterday; I got another, but lost my overcoat. 

19th. I went over a part of the battlefield; it was an awful sight; the 
dead were laying thick in some places. I counted eleven close together. 
The Rebels have gone towards Harper's Ferry. We started after them 
about 5 P. RI. 

20th. Marched until i o'clock this morning; we started again after 
breakfast and marched over the mountain, stopping a while on top. The 
Rebels crossed the river at Harper's Ferry yesterday and the evening 
before. Colonel Miles surrendered the Union forces at the ferry. We 
proceeded to Sandy Hook in the afternoon. 

2ist, Sunday. We went down to the river and shot the loads from our 
guns. The first day's rest we have had for some time. 

22d. We lay quiet all day, and were well satisfied to do it. 

23d. After breakfast we marched to the mountain near Harper's Ferry 
where part of Colonel Miles' force had been stationed. Tt is a high ancf 
healthy place. Miles spiked the large field guns and threw them off their 
carriages, three of them. 

24th. Engaged most of to-day building huts of brush, etc. Tt is thought 
we will stay here for a wdiile. The Rebels blew up the railroad bridge after 
they crossed. 



26th. I did not do anything to-day but cook and drill ; we have great 
times cooking our meals; some of the language I hear would not be very 
appropriate for a prayer meeting. 

29th. Some talk in the papers of the South trying to make a com- 
promise with the North. 

October. 

1st. We received some boxes from home to-day, but nearly everything 
in them was spoiled. 

3d. We received our tents again. 

4th. Our tents are splendid to sleep in. General Geary inspected our 
brigade; he is a fine looking man; he was wounded in arm at Antietam. 

6th. We received our knap.sacks from Virginia to day; were glad to 
get them. 

I2th. Samuel B. Thomas, Secretary of State of Pennsylvania, presented 
us with our State Flag. 

27th. Orders were read on dress parade that we were changed into the 
Second Brigade, First Division, commanded by Brigadier-General Kane, 
late colonel of the Bucktails. 

28th. I saw General Kane to-day for the first time ; he is a fine looking 
little man. 

29th. We had regimental drill, the first one since we left Virginia. 
General Kane came out and shook hands with all the officers and then 
spoke to us. 

30th. We received orders to pack up and strike tents, and be ready tu 
march. We started about noon, and, crossing at the ferry, marched over 
into Virginia. 

31st. We were mustered for pay in the afternoon. 

Nox'cinbcr. 

1st. We moved a short distance this morning. They are opening 
another ball down the valley; the cannonading is very heavy. 

2d. The cannonading is still going on, heavier than yesterday. Four 
others and I were sent out to guard a bridge and watch for Rebels. 

3d. Last night was cool on guard ; we could not go to sleep, as we 
expected to be molested by a squad of Rebel cavalry. About to o'clock 
last night a soldier was out stealing chickens ; he was shot at ; the guards 
heard it at camp, and they all fired ofif; the men were called out in line. 
Great excitement. 

4th. Nearly all the regiment out on picket on the mountains. Occa- 
sionally they could see Rebel squads of cavalry. 

9th. Five of us went on patrol duty to a bridge near a mill. 

loth. We were relieved about noon by a squad from Company F. The 
miller got us to guard his house and mill while he went on an errand. 
J. McFadden ground two bushels of corn while the miller was away; 
when he came back he gave us pies and apples. 

14th. Orders were read on dress parade to put up winter quarters. 

15th. A corporal and twelve men of our company were detailed to go 

132 



to Maryland Heights on fatigue duty. There is to l)e a fort or two put 
up there. We halted in the Ferry a long time, both going and coming. 

i6th. We went back to the Heights again ; we took up with us a cannon 
from a l)attery on the side of the mountain. It was a 30-pounder and 
weighed about 6,500 pounds; it went up rather iieavy, with 200 of us 
pulling at the ropes. 

17th. The regiment was called out at i o'clock this morning, and 
marched up the mountain to support a battery; it was expected the Rebefs 
would make an attack, but they did not. We were left in line until 
morning. It was very dark and rainmg. We remained on the mountain 
all day. 

i8th. We remained on the mountain. Foggy all day and rain.ed in the 
afternoon. We put up some tents. 

19th. Relieved, about 10 o'clock this morning by the Twentieth Con- 
necticut. We were served with a ration of whiskey in afternoon for the 
first time. 

22d. We drew some clothes to-day. Had a brigade review by General 
Kane in forenoon ; it was a pretty sight. 

26th. Colonel Hawley and Captain Otley came back to-day. The men 
were all glad to see the colonel and gave him several hearty cheers; he 
looks the worse for being wounded— his neck is still stifT. 

27th. Thank.sgiving Da.v, appointed by the President. Had dress 
parade in evening. Several salutes were fired from Maryland Heights. 

29th. I went out on picket this morning; stationed at a school-house. 
In evening three of us went to a farmer's to watch his hen roost. Temple 
King died of typhoid fever at hospital at Harper's Ferry. 

December. 

1st. We were inspected by General Kane and staff. We had to go out 
with our knapsacks, haversacks, and canteens on. The inspection was 
very strict. 

3d. We commenced to clean off our new camp ground. Ordered to 
put up winter quarters in the woods back of our present camp. 

8th. About 3 inches of snow on the ground and very cold. The 
whole regiment was out cutting and drawing logs for our winter quarters. 
It was quite a lively time. 

9th. The snow melted some. We received orders about noon to be 
ready to march by 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. 

loth. We packed up, struck tents, and marched out to the drill ground 
to form the brigade. We stayed there all day. General Geary's Division 
passed by. We went back to camp at sundow^n and put up our tents. 

nth. We packed up again this morning. Started at 9 o'clock and 
marched out Loudon Valley to Willsborough, turned to the left, and kept 
on until the evening. Halted for the night after having marched 13 miles. 

I2th. Got up at 3 o'clock this morning; had breakfast, and started at 
5 o'clock. The ground was frozen and we made good time, passing 
through Leesburg about 9 o'clock. We made 15 miles to-day. 

13th. Started at 7 o'clock in the morning: roads muddy. Had to halt 

133 



to let General Knipe's Brigade and wagon trains pass. Marched 8 miles 
and stopped for dinner, after which we went 4 miles. 

14th. Sunday. Started at 8.30 o'clock this morning; reached Fairfax 
Court House at i P. M. We did not stop for dinner. We left the pike 
at Fairfax Court House and then had bad roads. Marched about 12 
miles to-day. 

15th. Started at 6 o'clock this morning. Roads very muddy. Provision 
trains and artillery could move but slowly and we could not go faster. 
Stopped a half-hour for dinner, then continued until 3 o'clock. Made 10 
miles. 

i6th. We pitched our tents last night ; it rained, and the water ran 
under us before we got up. Started without breakfast. Marched very 
slowly on account of mud. Stopped at 2 o'clock for dinner, then pro- 
ceeded. Made about 5 miles the entire day. 

17th. Got breakfast; started marching at 5 o'clock. Went back the 
way we came. Marched 15 miles to Fairfax Station. It was a hard 
march. Snowed part of the day. 

i8th. Had drill and regimental inspection. They drill us as soon as 
we quit marching. 

19th. Drilled to-day and had a review. 

20th. Did not drill to-day. Worked at our ciuarters, cutting and 
carrying logs for our bunk. The paymaster was here and paid us ^27 
bounty. 

2ist. We logged up our bunk to-day, plastering between the logs with 
clay ; it froze as we put it on. 

22d. Put a fireplace in our bunk. Captain Otley, of our company, has 
resigned; he has not been with us since we left Loudon Valley. 

23d. We elected Lieutenant Townsend captain. Second Lieutenant 
Burnett to first lieutenant, and they appointed Orderly Townsend second 
lieutenant. They would not allow us to elect our second lieutenant, or 
we would have elected Burns or Auld. 

24th. Our company subscribed $60 towards getting a sword, sash and 
belt for our newly-elected captain, Townsend. 

25th. Christmas in camp. Nothing of interest to relate. 

[Note — As the soldier ate the army rations or paced the 
lonelv guard beat, he could not but think of the loved ones at 
home and of the comforts and good things they were enjoying, 
and while he may have wished he was there, heroically he bore 
his disappointment and uttered a silent prayer that God would 
bless them at home, and methinks the "Recording Angel" was 
kept busy as he noted the fervent prayers of fathers, mothers, 
wives, brothers and sisters for the safe return of their loved ones.] 

27th. We received orders to get ready to march at a moment's warnings 
R-ithout knapsacks. 

134 



[Note — What can be more expressive of the uncertainty of 
a soldier's hfe than the two Unes just quoted; a few days prior 
they were cutting logs and plastering the cracks in anticipation 
of having comfortable quarters for quite a long time. The 
record of the 28th says : | 

28th. We were ordered to get three days' rations in our haversacks, to 
take our blankets and shelter tents with us. We started at 8 o'clock and 
marched to Occoquan Creek; reached it about noon, and lay on its banks. 

29th. A very heavy frost last night. We lay quiet until 2 o'clock, when 
we started back to camp. We marched back in two and one-half hours, 
about 7 miles. The general said we were expected to have a brush with 
the Rebels, as they were seen near our catnp soon after we left yesterday, 
but we did not see them on our return. They tore up some of the railroad. 

30th. We did not drill to-day. Prepared for inspection. 

31st. We were mustered by our colonel for pay. Isaac Henthorne, of 
Company E. died on the 29th in hospital at Alexandria. 

fa Hilary. 

1st. We presented Captain Townsend with his sword; it is a splendid 
one. 

2d. I was on the wood and water squad to-day. Corporal Auld and 
seven men from Company E were detailed to guard ordnance stores for 
ten days. I was one of the number; the stores were about i mile from 
camp ; seven men went from each regiment. 

3d. We have an ea-sy job; on guard one hour to-day. They got 36 
green mules yesterday, and we are driving them to-day ; some are wild. 
General Williams reviewed the division. 

4th. Our division (both infantry and artillery) was reviewed by 
Generals Slocum and Williams in a field close by where we are guarding. 
It was a fine sight. 

5th. Geary's Division was reviewed by General Slocum. Clark iSIen- 
denhall cut my hair. 

7th. A windy and cold day ; unpleasant guarding. 

8th. Only stood guard an hour this morning; it was quite cold, and 
snowed some. Our regiment went out on a scout in the evening — got lost 
from the general. 

9th. Great cheering in Knipe's Brigade this evening. 

I2th. Ten days were up this evening; no one came to relieve us, so we 
kept on. 

13th. Xo relief came; the lieutenant of wagon train went to see 
General Kane about it (he is acting division general) ; he detailed us for 
ten days more. We received orders to prepare to march within si.x or 
twelve hours. We boiled some meat. 

14th. Roads very muddy. No orders to move. 

i6th. Taylor Windle came up from camp and U>\d me there was a 
barrel there for me; I went with him. Everything in it was splendid. It 

1.35 



contained a turkey- (roasted), boots, gum overcoat, apples, sausage, 
scrapple, etc., etc. 

17th. Cold this morning; two hours on guard seemed long. I went 
into camp. Had roast turkey for dinner; it was fine. There were four 
of us ; we had a good time. We received orders to march hy daylight ; we 
cooked some meat. Orders have been flying around lively to-day. 

i8th. Orders to move countermanded until to-morrow morning. Clark 
and I did some washing; made a cap cover apiece out of my gum blanket. 
We cooked some meat and fixed up ready for marching. 

19th. The drivers connnenced feeding their horses and nnilcs and 
bringing them over to the wagons ; some of the mules hard to catch ; 
swearing done to perfection. We expected to start early, but did not get 
off until I P. M. We crossed the Occoquan again, and went beyond about 
4 miles; we made 12 miles in all. 

2Cth. Started at 7 o'clock this morning; went through Dumfries, and 
continued 2 miles. Made 10 miles to-day ; rained, and we got some wet. 
Dumfries is a very poor place, only a few houses in it. Roads are frozen 
with deep ruts in places ; horses and mules got their feet fast, fell down, 
and had a gay time. 

2ist. Rained all night and day; were late starting. Roads awful bad; 
wagons stalling all the time — had to pull each other out ; some of the 
teams hardly got started. We only went 4 miles. 

22d. We sat up all night l)y the fire in the rain and mud, the mud aljout 
half knee deep. Raining this morning; we unloaded some of the wagons 
and sent them back to help others along. The roads are still awful; the 
teams stalled so often that we could not get along; only made 4 miles. 
Our rations gave out this evening — and no signs of getting more. 

23d. It looks like clearing off. but does not get it done. Wagons did 
not all get up last night. Wc unloaded some and sent them back to help 
others ; part of the train went on ; the Connecticut boys went with them ; 
the rest of the train: came in the evening, we stayed all night. Got no 
rations yet ; we begged some crackers, 1 parched some corn, had Itean 
soup for supper. News came that Burnside was 20 miles below 
Fredericksburg. 

24th. Started again this morning; had nothing for breakfast except a 
little coffee without sugar. Went about 4 miles to Stafford Station; halted 
a little while by the brigade commissary, where we begged a few crackers. 
We soon corraled and stopped for the night. We got a few rations from 
camp. 

2Sth. Got some breakfast and five pounds of crackers ; signed the pay 
rolls this evening, are to be paid to-morrow. Jesse Greenfield, of Companj^ 
E, died of typhoid fever to-day in hospital at Alexandria. 

26th. Paymaster is in camp at last; paid us three months' wages. I 
was paid from July 2Sth to November ist. I received $40.73. and sent 
home $30. 

27th. About half our regiment went out 3 miles on picket duty ; wet all 
dav; had an unpleasant time picketing for deserters. 

136 



28th. Commenced snowing about 4 o'clock this morning: \vc were 
relieved at noon, went back to camp ; had a wet tramp. 

29th. Continued snowing initil noon; it is about 6 inches deep. 
I'l'hniary. 

4th. One of the coldest days we have had. I went to Ijrigade commis- 
sary for some things; all I could get was five pt)unds of hardtack — ratiotjs 
rather scarce. 

5th. Snowed in morning, turned to rain in afternoon. I was on camp 
guard; we had six relieves; very unplea.sant standing. 

7th. Harry Davis and 1 went to the shoemakers in the 82d Ohio 
Regiment to get our boots mended; I had burned mine at the toe. 

8th. A splendid day; birds singing, very spring-like. Our company 
went out on picket this morning; did not go far, as our line is changed. 
The password to-night is "Old Point." 

9th. We were relieved early this morning. Quite a talk in camp about 
the regiment being brigaded again. Some say we will be sent to the front, 
and others say we are going back toward Washington. Had regimental 
drill. 

Ilth. Company F and ours went to work on a corduroy road. It 
commenced to snow and rain about i P. M. ; we quit and went back to 
camp. General Kane is having the road made to his landing, about 3 
miles. It is quite a job, and will take some time to finish it the way we 
work ; we do not go at it very hard. 

I2th. Was out drilling to-day. Lieutenant Newlin took command of 
our company while we tried the skirmish drill, the first time I had drilled 
it ; our captain does not understand it — he knows nothing but the old- 
style of forward march, etc. 

13th. Company F and ours went out on picket ; the password for 
to-night is "Hambleton.'' 

14th. Last night, while on picket, I slept on two logs in front of the 
fire; burned one side, froze the other; no one came along to bother us. 
Relieved this morning, went into camp. Nothing new to be heard or seen. 
Corporal Taylor got a furlough to go home for ten days; several are going 
home from the regiment; the adjutant and a captain or two are now at 
home. 

15th. Rained most of the day; very dull in camp; we lay in our tents, 
get lonesome this kind of a day ; do not know what to do or how to do it. 

i6th. We went out on corduroy road again ; I did not feel very well 
and did not do a bit of work. Soldiers will not work hard. 

17th. Snowed all day; about 6 inches fell, mixed with rain. Very 
unpleasant and dismal in camp on such a day. 

i8th. Stopped snowing and turned to rain, a very disagreeable day. 
Our company ordered out on picket. I had the good luck to miss it. 

19th. On camp guard to-day ; we have eleven reliefs, only two on at a 
time. Bought a pound of butter for 65 cents; quite a good price, and a 
little strong. The picketers came in; it rained hard all night, and they 
had a bad time of it. 

20th. Cleared off. Harry and T did some washing — two shirts, one 

137 



pair drawers, and one pair of hose each; do not think nuich of being 
washerwoman. 

2ist. Our company went on fatigue dutj' on that corduroy road. I had 
the good luck to miss going. 

22d. Commenced snowing last night and continued through to-day; 
snowed fast ail the time, keeping us in our bunks most of the day. Heard 
a great number of guns fired off in honor of Washington's Birthday; had 
it been a fine day, a greater demonstration would no doubt have been made. 

23d. Company F and ours received orders to get three days' rations, 
take shelter tents, and report for three days' fatigue duty ; we w^ent to 
Captain John P. Green, of General Kane's staff, and he said that he had 
received a telegram that we were not wanted. We went back to our 
quarters, all well pleased. Snow is about 8 inches deep. 

24th. Snow is not melting much. We cut and brought in a lot of wood; 
it is getting scarce near camp. We drew three loaves of soft bread to-day. 

25th. Company F and ours went out on picket. I got on the post with 
the lieutenant and sergeant, tei* of us together next to the landing; we 
stood about one and a half hours each. The captain of the picket came 
at 8 o'clock. He said that he had received orders from the general that 
three brigades of Rebel cavalry were in our rear, and that it was thought 
they intended to make a raid on the landing. 

26th. It conunenced to rain at 2 o'clock this morning; we were relieved 
at 9 o'clock ; when we started for camp it was foggy and we got lost, and 
came out below the 125th Pennsylvania. The Rebel cavalry did not put 
in an appearance. The 125th Regiment was out watching for them. 

27th. I took one of my boots to the shoemaker ; it is burned. We drew 
three days' rations of fresh bread again to-day. Received orders to be 
ready to go on picket duty in the morning. 

28th. Company F and ours went on picket this morning. We got at 
the farthest post up the creek. Our regiment was mustered for pay; the 
orderly gave an account of where we were, which made us all right. 
Chalkley Taylor died in his bunk this morning of typhoid fever; he had 
not been sick long. 
March. 

1st. Commenced to rain about i A. M., continued until we were 
relieved; had a bad night of it. We were not troubled with any visitors. 
James Entrikin died to-day in the hospital in Washington. 

2d. All of our regiment that were able and not on other duty went out 
to work on our new bunks ; we are going to move to a splendid place, 
about 2 miles from our present camp. T worked with John W. Ferrill and 
Joseph Girtley; we had but one a.xe between us; we carried logs enough 
for two liunks. 

3d. Company A and ours went out on picket ; they changed the picket 
line this morning, putting it farther out. General Williams re\iewed the 
division to-day; we missed it. 

4th. Company K, of our regiment, relieved us this morning. We went 
in by our new camp ground. General Kane had the brigade out on review. 
We received orders to be ready for inspection to-morrow. T received a 

138 



box from home; everything is splendid. Jake and Bill also got theirs, 
and the things are good. We will live fine for a while. 

5tli. We formed in line for inspection, bnt no inspection officer came, 
and we were dismissed and ordered to be ready for to-morrow. 

6th. Lay all day in readiness for inspection, bnt it did not come off. 
Our company received orders to be ready for picket to-morrow. Company 
A presented their captain (Roberts) with a sword; it is a splendid one. 

9th. The pickets did not go out, ordered to stay in for inspection. 
Lieutenant-colonel of the 46th Pcnnsjdvania Volunteers came in afternoon 
and inspected us; our company took the "rag off the bush" — had the best 
guns. Company H buried one of their men (J. Ephraim Lobbj to-day; a 
great many of the regiment went up to see him buried. 

loth. Snow-ed and rained. The pickets went out this morning. Orders 
came to move to new quarters ; some of our company got moved. 

nth. Nearh' all the regiment moved into the new quarters. 

I2th. The regiment was called into line at 3 o'clock this morning and 
kept in line until daylight; the Guerillas are in our rear; the whole division 
was up, as an attack was feared. 

13th. As a precaution against an attack, the regiment was ordered into 
line at 4 A. M.. and kept there until daylight. 

14th. I did some washing; we fixed our chimney, building it higher; 
it would smoke ; it does finely since we fixed it. We received orders to be 
ready to go on picket duty to-morrow morning. 

15th. Company A and ours went out on picket; they went to the mill 
and we to the landing. Much thundering and lightning in the evening 
and at the same time it was snowing and hailing right fast. The Yorkers 
had oysters for sale at the landing; we captured some during the night, 
had a good time eating them ; some were frozen, but they were real good. 

i6th. Company G relieved us this morning. When McNelly and I 
came off guard, at i A. M., we went to the oyster bed and got about half 
a bushel ; we took them up to the fire and had a good feast. Taylor got 
a box from home ; the things kept good in it. I went after my boot that 
I had given the shoemaker to mend, but did not get it ; he had lost it. 

17th. A pleasant day for St. Patrick. Early this morning we received 
orders to clean and pack up and be ready to be reviewed by General 
Hooker. We formed in line at 2 P. ]\L, and went to the drill ground. 
General Kane put us through for a while, then General Williams reviewed 
us. General Hooker did not come. We had a fine breakfast and dinner 
out of Taylor's box. 

i8th. We went out to drill this morning. General Kane took charge 
for a short time, when we received orders that we were to be reviewed at 
noon ; we went to camp, got our knapsacks, fixed up, and went out near 
Stafford ; the wdiole division was out there, and we were reviewed by 
General Slocum. We expected to see General Hooker, but he did not 
come. A short while after we returned to camp, the officers all along the 
line shouted "fall in, fall in ;"' we were soon in line. 

igth. Company D and ours went on picket this morning; they went to 
the mill, and we to the landing. The division was reviewed by General 

139 



1 looker. 1 did not gel to see him. There are a great many ducks tlying 
about tile landing. 

Jolli. We were relieved l)y Company 1 this morning; we did not receive 
any countersign last night. It C( mmenced to snow at 7 A. JM. and kept it 
up all day. 

2lst. Snow and rain. It is reported that we are to he brigaded again, 
the r25lh Pennsylvania \'ohmteers and our regiment to leave this brigade. 

22(1. Report this morning said we are to go in General Geary's Division ; 
his headquarters are now at Acqnia Creek Landing, and we are to move 
in a few days. We received orders about noon to clean our guns and be 
ready for inspection at three. We are still condemned, so we are going to 
try it again. The major of the 20lh Connecticut reviewed us; our guns 
looked hue. 

23d. Our company and 1) went on picket; we got to the mill this time. 
We received orders to be ready to march to-morrow morning. 

24th. We formed in line and started about g this morning. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Lil/ccnberg led us; he got lost, and the regiment became divided. 
We had a gay time getting to Acquia Landing; reached there about i 
P. M. We are now in General John W^ Geary's Division, the Second. 

25th. General Kane had 
the brigade out on review ; 
he has five regiments now — 
jgth, logth, I nth, 124th, 
and 125th, all Pennsylvania 
troops. The general made 
a speech to the officers, 
shook hands with them, 
and made quite a fuss. 
Some of the boys are log- 
ging up; we cut and carried' 
ours. 

2()th. We logged our 
bunk up, four logs high; 
did not put any fireplace 
in il this time, thought it 
wouKl not pa\'. Harry was 
detailed as clerk for Cap- 
tain John P. Green, assist- 
ant adjutant-general of 
General Kane's stafif. Our 
captain then detailed me as 
his clerk, in Harry's place; 
it exempts me from picket 
and guard duty, etc. 

27th. General Geary re- 
viewed our brigade; after 
that, General Kane put us 
through several times, passing review, etc. Had dress parade in afternoon, 

140 




JOHN VV. GEARY, 
MAJOR-GENERAL. 



and the colonel told us that we would be reviewed to-nKirrow by Andrew 
G. Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania. 

28th. Captain and 25 men of our company went cut on fatigue duty, to 
work on llie railroad; it rained so hard that they came in aliout noon. The 
review did not come off. 

29th. Had company inspection by Lieutenant-Colonel Litzenberg. 

30th. Were inspected in morning by Lieutenant Thomas Lieper, of 
General Kane's Staff. General Kane was also there, and had us go through 
the manual of arms, etc. Regimental drill and dress parade in afternoon. 
Snowed in evening. 

31st. Snow continued this morning, then turned to rain. Cleared off 
in evening, and we had parade. 

April. 

1st. Ball playing the leading amusement this morning. Company D 
had a sham dress parade; it was right good. Regimental and brigade drill 
in afternoon. 

2d. Regimental drill in forenoon. Generals Slocum and Geary inspected 
the camp in the afternoon. A man is going through the regiment getting 
subscriptions for a soldiers' memorial ; nearly all of our company 
subscribed. 

5th. Snowed in the morning and continued until nearly noon. Captain 
and 40 men of our company were on fatigue duty at the landing. This 
is Easter Sunday, but we had no eggs, and had to be satisfied with hard- 
tack. President Lincoln went down the railroad towards Falmouth. 

9th. The regiment was out drilling in the forenoon and cleaning up 
camp in the afternoon. The President is to review the Eleventh and 
Twelfth Corps to-morrow near Stafford Court House. 

loth. We started early this morning for the review; we reached 
Stafford Court House some time before the President made his appear- 
ance. He came on the field with General Hooker; his wife and son were 
there, also Generals Slocum, Geary, Williams, Kane, Green, Knipe, 
Gordon, and others. The President reviewed us and we passed in front 
of him, and when we returned to camp it was nearly sundown ; we were 
quite tired. 

nth. We were mustered this forenoon by Lieutenant-Colonel Litzen- 
berg. About noon there was quite a volley of musketry, with some 
artillery, towards the front. We heard it very plainly. The whole brigade 
was called into line, our regiment w-ent to the front of the camp of the 
125th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and stacked arms; it proved they had no 
use for us, and we went back to our quarters. 

I2th. The regiment was inspected this morning by our lieutenant- 
colonel, and in the afternoon by General Kane; it was not very satisfac- 
tory, and it is to be done over again to-morrow. 

13th. The boys busy all forenoon cleaning their guns, etc. Had 
regimental inspection in afternoon. 

T4th. We received orders to prepare to march by to-morrow nnon. with 
five days' rations in knapsack and three in haversack; also ordered to 

141 



send a\va\' our surplus clothing. I sent my overcoat, dress coat, and two 
pairs hose ; took them to the quartermaster — they were sent to Washington. 

15th. Preparing for the march ; some very strict orders read in regard 
to straggling, etc. \\'e are to have five days' rations of hard bread, sugar, 
coffee and salt in our knapsacks by taps to-night. 

i6th. Rained harder at times than it has before since we have been out. 
Expected orders to march, Init none came ; we were well pleased. Report 
says we are to be paid to-morrow. 

ijtii. Xo marching orders yet. The paymaster (Major Sherman) came 
to headquarters about noon; he paid the 125th, then ours. We received 
four months' pay ($52). Captain is going to send the money to Chester 
County Bank and give checks to the men. 

iSth. Captain and I counted the money to be sent home; there was 
$3,161, of which the captain sent $500, first lieutenant, $300, and second 
lieutenant. $370. We sent it by express. 

igtii. The knapsacks of regiment were inspected by Captain Bailey; he 
wanted to see if all had five days' crackers in them. General Hooker had 
consultation with President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton and General 
Halleck on a boat at the lanxiing. 

20th. An order came into camp from General Hooker to be read to 
every company of nine months' and two years' men, now in the field, in 
reference to re-enlisting, promising a furlough of thirty days to all who 
would re-enlist; it had little eft'ect in our company, as all want to go home 
too badly. 

21 St. We were called into line early this morning, without guns, etc., 
marched out, and formed three sides of a hollow square; the major made 
a few remarks relative to our time being nearly up and the dutj- we still 
owe our country, etc. He then read the order of yesterday again, also 
a report of the line officers as to the feelings of the men in regard to it, 
which was unanimously adopted. 

22d. Regimental and company drill and target practice. 

23d. Rained hard at times; nothing going on, kept close to our bunks 
all day. 

26th. Orders to march to-morrow morning with eight days' rations of 
hard bread, coft'ee, sugar, salt, and three days' of pork. 

[Note by Historian — The records from this date to ^^lay 6th 
iiicltide details of the march and the part the 124th took in the 
battle of Chancellorsville.] 

27th. We started at 7 this morning, marched through Stafford Court 
House, and on toward the Rappahannock ; did not stop for dinner, but 
continued on until 6 o'clock. Made about 15 miles. 

28th. The adjutant came around at 3 o'clock to wake the men. He 
said we w-ere to start at 4.30. We marched by Hartwood and Grovewood 
churches, halted an hour to cook coft'ee, then marched on, quite fast at 
times; halted in a woods at 5.30 for the night; marched about 20 miles, 
some say more. 



29th. Called up at 4 this morning; starting at 6, we cr(5ssed the 
Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford early in the forenoon, marched very hard 
part of the time. While stopping in the afternoon for dinner, the Eleventh 
Corps passed us. We crossed the Rapidan at 10 o'clock in the evening — 
it was a splendid sight. We took ahout 60 prisoners, they heing engaged 
in building a bridge over the river. Marched 12 miles; rained at times. 

30th. Started at 8 this morning, our regiment heing in the advance; 
heavy skirmishing in our rear. Rel)els shelled our train with two pieces 
of artillery, but did no harm. We took several prisoners; they talk very 
spunky. Stopped at 4 o'clock along a cart road in the woods. Made about 
15 miles. 

May. 

1st. Inspected and mustered in the morning. Our division went out 
about ir o'clock, had a skirmish, and took a ford. We came back to 
where we stayed last night; the Rebels following us, had quite a skirmish. 
We put up breastworks in the night with our bayonets and plates; it was 
a splendid sight. 

2d. Worked and lay on our arms all night. Commenced fighting at 
sunrise. The Rebels came up the plank road in solid column ; our artillery 
opened on them, and mowed them down awfully. They fell back; it was 
sharp while it lasted. We were ordered out in the afternoon, went down 
the plank road, had quite a heavy fight ; we fell back in our intrenchments. 

3d. Artillery fighting kept up all night ; it was splendid. The Rebels 
opened on our center at daylight ; hard fighting ; the Eleventh Corps 
broke, and we had to retire from our intrenchments. I got lost from the 
company. The Rebels shelled and burned our hospital and came nearly 
up to our cannon. William Otley was wounded. I left my knapsack, the 
bullets coming too thick and fast for me to bother with it. Several of us 
fell back toward the river. Had no coffee, not allowed to make a fire. 

4th. The Rebels opened with a battery at daylight; they tried to shell 
our hospital across the river ; our cavalry soon captured the battery. Our 
squad, that had remained near the river all night, went down to the ford, 
got crackers, and then returned to our regiment. We lay quiet until 
evening, when Colonel Higgins. of the 125th Pennsylvania, marched his 
and our regiment to the rear of Green's Brigade. 

5th. We remained in rear of Green's Brigade all night, firing at times, 
but not close. Cannonading kept up all night about Fredericksburg. We 
lay by our guns ready to move at a moment's notice. This morning we 
were ordered to build breastworks. Xot much firing to-day; could see a 
Rebel battery and plenty of Rebs. Had heavy thunder-gust in afternoon. 
We were ordered to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment's 
warning; fell in line about 10 in the evening. Rations rather slim. 

6th. Rained during the night and was quite cool. We stood in line 
and around fires from 10 last night till 4 this morning, when we started, 
and marched over the river at United States Ford; was broad daylight 
when we got over. The army was crossing all night. We marched by 

143 



Hartwood Church and on to where we stopped on the night of April j/lh. 
Marched about i8 miles; part of the time it rained and was unpleasant. 

jth. Started about 7 this morning, marched to Stafford Court House, 
stopped and got crackers. Generals Slocum and Geary were there. Geary 
made a short speech. We then went on to our old camp near Acquia 
Landing, reaching there at 4 P. M. Very glad to get back, and quite tired. 
I had a cracker and a half-tin of coffee, without sugar, for my breakfast. 

8th. All appeared to he tired enough to lie quiet to-day. 

9th. We received orders to-day that we were discharged, our term of 
service having ended, and were to start for Harrisburg on Monday. 1 
lost 7 pounds on the last march. 

[Note by Editor — The records from this date until arrival 
of regiment in Harrisburg, are similar to those of Broomhall 
and Stager.] 




S.VMUEL W. CRAWFORD, 
BRIGADIER-OENEKAL. 



144 



lO 





■^' izC/^^^^^^^^^^ • 



RE\'EREXD JOSEPH S. EVANS. 

Son of Thomas and Phebe (Spragg) Evans, was born in 
Mount Holly, New Jersey, September 15, 1831. When two years 
of age, his parents moved to Chester County, Pa., where his youth 
and early manhood were spent in farming and teaching in the 
township school. 

In 1855. he matriculated at what is now- Buckncll L'niversity, 
Lewisburg, Pa., but, owing to ill health, was unable to linish the 
course. Feeling that he was, in an especial manner, called to the 
Lord's work, he took charge of the services of Goshen Baptist 
Church, in November, i860, as a licensed preacher, and in 
November, 1861, w^as regularly ordained into the ministry of the 
Baptist denomination, preaching his first sermon as pastor of the 
Goshen church on the third Sunday of the same month. 

When he felt it his duty to answer his country's call, he offered 
his resignation to the church, but it was not accepted, and he was 
asked to go into the army as its pastor. 

On September 13, 1862, he was mustered into the 124th as 
chaplain, and in four days thereafter ministered to his wounded 
and dying comrades at the Battle of Antietam. On account of 
ill health, he was honorably discharged January 9, 1863. Return- 
ing home, he resumed the pastorate of his church, and at this 
writing, January, 1905, he occupies the pulpit when his health 
will permit, thereby making a continuous service of forty-three 
years. 

He has been chaplain of the 124th Regimental Association 
since its organization, and has always taken an active part in its 
work. 

A noble, Christian character. 



147 



c 



REMINISCENCES OF 
CHAPLAIN JOSEPH S. EVANS. 

I was appointed Chaplain of the 124th Regiment by Governor 
Curtin, September 11, 1862; this was ahnost a month after the 
regiment had left West Chester for Harrisburg, to be mustered 
into service. Immediately after my appointment, I left West 
Chester and proceeded to Washington, D. C, expecting to find 
the regiment there. Arriving in that city in the afternoon, I found, 
to my dismay, that, owing to General Lee's invasion of Maryland, 
the 124th had started on its march toward Frederick City, Md. It 
was necessary for me to remain in Washingon until the next 
morning and I stopped at Willard's Hotel. Here I had th 
pleasure and privilege to see, for the first time, Major-General 
Mansfield, who had recently been appointed Commander of the 
corps of which our regiment formed a part. He was a fine speci- 
men of the true soldier ; his hair was snowy white, his bearing 
that of the true and noble man. 

C)n Friday morning, September 12th, Joseph P. Wilson, a 
relative of Major-General McClellan. and I started in a buggy 
to overtake the regiment, which we did at Frederick City next 
morning. 

On Sunday morning the whole division started on a march 
toward South ^lountain, where it was expected that a battle 
would soon take place between the two armies. After marching 
until noon and gaining the apex of the range of hills beyond 
Frederick City, we beheld a most wonderful panorama on the 
opposite side of the beautiful valley lying between the two ranges 
of mountains. We could see thousands of men marching across 
the vallev, which lay, as it were, at our feet, while the battle was 
raging on the mountain beyond. This continued until darkness 
compelled the two armies to desist ; this they did not do until it 
was so dark that all w^e could see, as we neared the foot of the 
mountain, was the continued flashing fire from General Burn- 
side's batteries, located on the right, well up the mountain side. 
Soon these became c|uiet, but as we lay along the turnpike we 
could hear the rattling of the ambulances and the groans of the 
wounded who were being taken off the field to the improvised 
hospitals below. This continued until early dawn, when the whole 
LTnion Armv was astir expecting to renew the battle at daylight, 

14S 



Chaplain Jnscpli S. I^tviis. 
when, to our suqjrise, it was found that General Lee had with- 
drawn his whole army, and was moving toward Antietam, along 
the Boonesboro road. On the afternoon of the i6th, the Rebel 
army, having taken a stand on the hills and ridges surrounding 
Sharpsburg, skirmishing between the two armies commenced; 
and not until darkness again reigned over us. did it cease. 

During the night General McClellan was arranging for the 
deadly conflict which all knew must come in the morning. At 
midnight the order came for that portion of the army to which 
the 124th had been assigned, to march in silence about two miles, 
until it had reached the right wing of the line. Here, about three 
o'clock in the morning, we halted and' the men lay down on the wet 
ground ( for it had rained in the early morning) to get a little 
rest. 

At break of day of the 17th, and before the men could prepare 
anything to eat. the tremendous attack of the Rebels, who were 
strongly intrenched, commenced. The men of the regiment were 
marched into line at the edge of the famous cornfield, where thev 
met the deadly fire of the enemy. They held their ground and 
valiantly repulsed the fierce onslaughts. During the whole day. 
from daybreak until dark, they were never, except temporarily, 
driven back of the line that they had assumed at daylight, although 
they had driven the Rebels back for quite a distance. 

Quite early in the fight our noble Commander. General Alans- 
field, was killed, while riding his horse m front of his troops. 
Our Colonel, Joseph W. Mawley, was grievously wounded earlv 
in the conflict and was carried from the field. Brigadier-General 
Crawford, who succeeded General Mansfield, was also wounded 
and compelled to leave the field. The battle raged until darkness 
compelled a cessation. 

This, in brief, was the experience of the Chaplain within six 
days after he had left his quiet and peaceful home and family, 
in West Chester, to perform his duties amid shot and shell and 
bloody carnage during that fearful day. when one of the greatest 
and most decisive battles of the war was fought. 



149 





Glenside, Pa., November 26, igo6. 



Mr. Robert M. Green. 



My Dear Comrade: In compliance with your request for information 
pertaining to the 124th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, I take pleasure 
in sending herewith extracts from my daily records of events as they 
transpired during the entire nine months' service of the regiment. As you 
are aware. I was sergeant of Company G. I enclose, with my diary 
extracts, my recollections as to how that company was recruited. You 
are at liberty to use the enclosed records or an\' portion of them that in 
your iudgment will be appreciated by the survivors or their descendants. 



I remain, 



Yours fraternally, 

Henry J. Stacer. 



150 



RECRUITING OF COMPANY G, OF THE ONE HUNDRED 
AND TWENTY-FOURTH. 

FROM MEMORANDA OF HHXRY J. STAGER. 

In the summer of 1862. while tlie Army of the Potomac was 
fighting on the X'irginia peninsula, and the Union troops had met 
defeat after defeat in their attempt to reach the Rebel capital, 
the news of the big battle struck the patriot hearts of the North- 
ern people with sympathy and anxiety, and when steps were being 
taken to respond to President Lincoln's new call for troops, some 
of the bovs in the J'illas[c Record office, at West Chester, Pa., 
started to organize a company, and styled it the Junior Sons of 
America ; these were re-in forced by some of the boy members of 
the Fame fire company, of the same town. Quite a following was 
secured, and they were about to tender their services to Governor 
Curtin when Parson Brownlow, of Southern loyal fame, came 
to West Chester and addressed a mass meeting in the Court 
House, upon the issues of war. The Boy Company attended 
the meeting, and at its close, when a call was made for volunteers, 
thev responded to the appeal, and amid much enthusiasm and 
applause, signed the roll, and in a few days thereafter the company 
was complete, and it became Company G, of the 124th, and 
Edward F. James its Captain. 

EXTRACTS FROM DIARY OF HENRY J. STAGER. 

SERGEANT COMPANY G, I24TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Enlisted in Captain James' Company at West Chester. Pa., July 31, 1862, 
furloughed until .\ugust 6th. 

August. 

gth. Saturday. Six full companies left West Chester for Harrisburg 
at 2 P. M. Arrived there at 9 P. M., and quartered in State Capitol. 

loth. Breakfasted at depot refreshment saloon, then marched to Camp 
Curtin, and began camp life; salt pork and hardtack tirst rations. 

nth. Waiting general muster. Night cool, no blankets. 

I2th. Examined by surgeons in afternoon and sworn into United States' 
service for nine months, or sooner if discharged. 1 was appointed third 
sergeant of Company G. 

13th. Drew our military dress, canteens, haversacks, etc. 

14th. Armed with Springfield rifles and full accoutrements. .At 4.30 
formed into regiment— the 124th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Boarded 
freight and cattle cars at 10 P. M. for Washington, D. C. 

151 



I5th. Passed York at daybreak; arrived at suburhs of Baltimore at 
7 A. M. ; on dismounting from train, 40 rounds of ammunition were dis- 
tributed to each man. Marched through the City of Baltimore to 
Washington depot, arriving there at noon. Train was taken, and arrived 
at National Capitol at 6 P. M. Supper consisted of bread and black 
cofifee. Stayed in barracks near the Capitol over night. 

i6th. Marched from Washington about 10 A. M.. over Long Bridge 
into Virginia ; camped on the heights near Fort Scott. 

17th. Camp called Camp Stanton. We have wedge tents. 

[XoTK — Before proceeding with the diary, the historian takes 
the Hberty of introducing a letter written on August 24th, 1862, 
by Jos. Ad. Thompson, to the DcJaicare Coiniiy American, and 
pubhshed in that paper on August 27, 1862. Before this letter 
was written Mr. Thompson had visited Camp Stanton to which 
the diarist has just referred. The letter is as follows:] 

Washington, D. C, August 24, 1862. 
D. A. Vernon : 

After finishing my last letter to you, I sauntered down to Pennsylvania 
Avenue, for the double purpose of seeing the bulletin and getting my 
dinner. Having seen the former, I was just starting for the latter, when 
a halloa from behind lirought me to a halt, and I found myself taken by 
Major Haldeman, Captain Crosby, and Lieutenant Roberts, all of the 
124th, so we dined together at the St. Nicholas; after the major (who 
was then acting quartermaster) had finished his requisitions for next day's 
supplies, we took a carriage and started over to camp, where we arrived 
about 6 o'clock, just in time for supper. L'pon alighting from the carriage 
I descried in the distance the majestic outlines of a personage who, in 
point of specific gravity, bears quite a resemblance to your correspondent, 
and who .should it be but our fellow-townsman, J. G. Haddock, while 
beside him stood our postmaster, Innes, and Thomas Haldeman. who had 
arrived a few hours before. It seemed to me, as I stood there on the 
sacred soil, with so many of our citizens about me, that the place should 
have been named "Camp Media." The boys had erected their tents, and 
already had grown from amidst the Inishes a canvas city containing about 
live regiments. The name given to the camp was Camp McCall, which 
has just been changed to Camp Stanton. 

It was a comical sight to see the boys with their blue blouses (and the 
Government should iind better ones) so completely covered witli dust 
that in many cases it was difficult to determine the color, as they fell into 
line to the stentorian tones of the orderly (who is now a lieutenant), and 
then broke away at the close of roll call. I have seen many of them 
issuing from their homes in your borough on a Sunday, at the call of the 
church-going bell, with beaver on one extremity, patent leathers on the 
other, and the intermediate part encompassed with fine broadcloth, and 

152 



as I beheld them c(Jining from their tents on this Sunday morning the 
contrast was so great as to be ahnost ludicrous, and I laughed most 
heartily. And then again, when I saw them going up by twos with their 
tin cups to get their supply of coffee, I could not help thinking of times 
when it was lobster salad, "chafes," or a dozen on the half-shell. I do not 
believe, however, that they ever enjoyed a meal at home more than they 
did this homely one. I noticed Richard Cummins sauntering around with 
a huge loaf of Government bread, which rapidly grew smaller as it 
received the imprint of his dentals, and which he handed to your corre- 
spondent with the invitation to partake thereof in a manner really 
irresistible, and so 1 aided him in the reductir.n thereof. 

Many of the boys already had incidents to relate, and although but a 
day in "Dixie," they had made certain inhabitants thereof aware of their 
presence. Some of them related to me a reconnoissance that they had 
made upon a farm-house near by. It seems that the proprietor was not 
considered sound upon the leading questions of the day, whereupon they 
commenced an attack upon his outposts, consisting of a cornfield, a 
chicken-house, and a spring-house. Without going into particulars, as 
they were related to me, I will merely say that there were milk, butter, 
poultry, and corn in camp that night. The latter article seemed to pre- 
ponderate, and, as I knew from observation, it made an excellent pillow. 
It might be well to state in this connection that as soon as said articles 
were carefully stored in camp, a guard was put over the depleted farm- 
house. 

About dark Major li. came along and announced that supper was ready, 
whereupon we repaired to his quarters, and found the table groaning 
with good things. Bolt, the cook, had evidently done his best to please 
the distiiiguishcd guests, and I can, while speaking for myself, also vouch, 
for Messrs. H., H. and J. that their appetites were only exceeded by the 
welcome that appeased them. The good housewives of Media would have 
smiled had they seen us around that table, and soiiic wives would have 
found a text for a future sermon for their husbands when they would (as 
they sometimes do) grumble at the table. 

Since m\- last the field officers have been selected, of which you have 
been advised. Gideon's Band gives a major, and a good one, too, while 
our friend Joe takes off the guidon and puts on the straps of a lieutenant. 
He will be the adjutant, I think. I notice less complaining and fault 
finding in this regiment than any of the new ones I have seen, and the 
men composing it seem to be inspired with but one idea — to put down 
rebellion. They have, it is true, all the privations and labors of camp, 
and I was really astonished at the willingness with which they endure and 
perform them. 

I suppose some member will give you the pai^ticulars, so I need not 
attempt that in my letter, but shall endeavor to say in mine what most 
likel.v would remain unsaid in others. The health of the men is excellent, 
and as long as they remain in their present locality it will be good, for 
the ground is high and dry and the water excellent, and they appear, owmg 
to their indefatigable quartermaster, to have everything necessary for 

153 



their ccmfurl that llic army rcgiilalitnis iicrniil. Hc'^i(k■s that, their 
proxitnity \v the eity en<il)Us llieni to ])r(ieure such luxuries as tliey may 
(iesire, at reasonahle rates. 

Captain IJtzenberg is acting as adjutant, and it is to his superior mihtary 
al)iiities that the regiment is so rapidly assuming a degree of order and 
discipline, which would lead an observer to suppose that they had been 
under arms for some time. 

1 saw Lieutenant Buckley in town the other night, and the Southern 
sun is taking quite an efifect upon him, several blisters appearing upon his 
proboscis. No one whom 1 see takes things with more saiii: froid than 
Master Vodges. 1 remember him when he was upon all fours, and 1 little 
expected then to meet him on the Nation's battlefield. He evidently enjoys 
camp life, and I hope he may endure all its privations with the same 
cheerful mien, and come back to home and friends imscathed. Captain 
Barton looks well ; he has (juite a military mien, and will make an excel- 
lent officer. 

How many single. men are there left in Media now? ^\'ill you give me 
a list, for I have Ijetn thinking over the town, and for the life of me I can 
lind but a pair? 

Excuse this desultory letter, for I am sitting on a barrel of salt pork 
and writing it on the crown of my hat. and as the mail is about closing, 
1 am consulting speed more than elegance of style. 

Troops are pouring in here by thousands, and the Avenue every day is 
full of bayonets. Our State is doing nobly. I offered to bet with the 
proprietor of one of our hotels that every regiment that marched up the 
Avenue during the next week would be a Pennsylvania one, I to win 
whenever one came, and to lose when it was from another State, but he 
did not take the bet. The universal exclamation here is, "Noble 
Pennsylvania !"" 

I shall go over the ri\er this evening, and will try and give you a more 
interesting letter next week. 

Truly yours, 

Steele Penne. 

DIARY RESUMED. 
August. 

l8th. First duty, detailed as' sergeant of guard. 

[Note: — Tlie historian deems it proper to state, that on this 
date the ret^iment was or^^anized and Captain Jos. W. Hawley 
was elected Colonel, and after some contention among the officers, 
Captain Simon Litzenherg- was elected Lietitenant-Colonel. The 
following item, copied from the Dchncan- County American, of 
August 20. 1862. refers to the selection of Captain Litzenberg.] 

The 124TH kec.imEnt.— The company officers of this regiment, we learn, 
through one of our correspondents, have held a meeting, at which they 

154 



uiianinKrasly reconuiioiulcd for licutcnaiU-coIoncl Captain Simon Litzen- 
berg, said reconmiendation, of course, being subject to the consideration 
of the Governor. We presume Captain Litzenberg has seen more of 
miHtary service and has a far greater knowledge of the requirements of 
the office than any otlier person in the regiment or who might hkcly be 
selected, and if this be generally known, his claims must, of course, receive 
due consideration. Whoever the officer may be, he should come from this 
county, as the number of men in the regiment from here entitles us to at 
least one-fourth of the officers. 

DIARY RESUMED. 

igth. First regimental drill. Regimental officers first announced. 

20th. Drill. Marching orders received. 

2ist. Struck tents, and marched to Loudon and Alexandria Railroad. 

22(]. Company drill. 

23d. Regimental drill. First dress parade, at 6 P. M. 

24th. Moved farther on. to Forts Ward and Blenker. 

25th. Regimental drill. At dress parade heard first orders read to 
regiment. 

20th. Squad, company and regiment drills. 

27th. Drills. Received dress coats, woolen and gum blankets. The 
Commissioners of Chester County visited camp and paid $50 bounty to 
each man from that cotnUy who had not received it before leaving home. 

28th. On police duty. Cleaned out underwood for a site for new fort, 
near Fort Blenker. Drew 20 rounds cartridges. False alarm in camp. 

2gth. General alarm, long roll. Regiment formed in line of battle. 
First regimental picket duty, on I^eesburg and Alexandria Pike. 

30th. Heavy cannonading in distance. Second Battle of Bull Rtm. 

31st. Rain. Waiting word as to yesterday's battle. 

Scptciiihrr. 

1st. Three drill.>; to-day. 

2d. Exciting day on picket. Troops, wagon trains, etc.. on way to 
Washington. 

3d. Released off picket. Regimental drill. Rumor of fight at Harper's 
Ferry. 

4tb. Three drills. Word as to fight at Williamsport. 

5th. Company G detailed to aid in digging rifle pits in front of Fort 
Ward. 

6th. Struck tents, and left camp at 6 P. M. for Rockville. Aid. Halted 
at 12.30 .-\. M.. and camped in cornfield. Last of the wedge tents at Fort 
Blenker. In starting on this march the regiment numbered about 925. 

7th. Resumed march at 6.30 A. ]\I. Two hours' stop at noon. .Arrived 
at Rock\ille in evening. 

8th. In afternoon resumed march and bivouacked on high hill at night. 

Qtli. 124th added to Crawford's Brigade, also two other new regiments. 
Marched 12 miles, and at night joined Banks' old corps. In early evening 

153 



the camptires of abmit 40.001) marching troops wore in view where we 
bivouacked. 

loth. Marching all day. Arrived near Damascus. Out of rations. 
Forced march. We feed on green corn and apples, here abundant. 

Tith. Marching. Drew new rations. Received mail. 

I2th. Marching, passed New Market zig-zag route. 

13th. ^larching, camped at night near Frederick City. 

14th. Early start, passed through Frederick. Firing all day. We 
arrived on South Mountain battlefield at night. Rebels routed. Union 
victory. 

15th. Marched from near ]Middletown to Boonsboro and beyond two 
miles. Rebel prisoners plentiful along road. 

i6th. Advanced toward Antietam Creek. Army en masse. Artillery 
shelling in front. Advance again after nightfall. Lay on arms all night in 
a plowed field. 

17th. Battle cif Antietam. Our brigade ordered to advance at break of 
day. Regiment became separated, in the fog, part of it advanced through 
cornfield to a point nearly in front of Dunker Church, and while lying here 
in support of a battery the shells from a rebel battery were passing over 
our heads at a lively rate, but the screaming of them indicated that they 
were at a safe height ; a few. however, dropped close to our ranks, bur 
fortunately did not explode. While we remained there the experience was 
not pleasing, as we momentarily expected a rebel battery to open directly 
in front of us. Our regiment at the commencement of the battle occupied 
the extreme right of the Union line, and during the entire forenoon the 
battle seemed to be concentrated in close proximity to us. In the afternoon 
it was transferred to the left of the Union line. Colonel Hawley v.as 
wounded shortly after we entered the cornfield, and was immediately 
carried to the rear. Lieutenant-Colonel Litzenberg assumed command, but 
the regiment did not become concentrated until late in the afternoon. 

i8th. On the battlefield. Awful sights and horrible stench. 

19th. In the afternoon marched through Sharpsburg to Rohrersville to 
Brownsville and camped for night. 

[XoTk: — The following extracts from a letter written by 
Lieutenant Joseph G. Cummins, of Company D. to the Dchncarc 
County American, and published in that paper September 24, 
1862, will no doubt prove of interest to many.] 

Near Sharpsburg. M.\ryi..\nd, 

Frtd.w, Sept. 19, i<S62. 

Three days ago we encamped three miles from Boonsboro. [Maryland. 
Next morning we were ordered to fall in for a march, which we did. 
The farther we marched the nearer the cannonading was heard. We 
marched right up to the front, and lay on our arms. The same evening we 
were ordered ofif again, h was very dark. Slow and quiet was our foot- 

156 



steps, not knowing what minute we would fall into some trap. We 
marched on, and some time in the night we encamped where a hattle 
was fought the day Ix-forc. Early next morning cannonading commenced; 
we were up in line, and marched immediately in the direction of where the 
rebel shot and shell were flying. We were under their fire for two hours. 
Our regiment was formed by companies. Such cannonading and infantry 
tiring from our side never was heard before. We soon formed in line of 
battle, and on we marched to the front, bullets by hundreds whizzing past 
our heads. We marched, not knowing really where we were going. Our 
first position was lying down near a fence, and we were immediately under 
cross fire. From the position we were in it was strange that every man was 
not killed. After we discovered our position was wrong we fell back in 
good order (under the circumstances). Our wounded consisted of the 
following so far as could then be ascertained : 

Corporal George D. Miller. Upper Providence, wounded in the side, but 
wmII recover. 

Corporal James Crozier, Rockdale, seriously wounded. 

Corporal David T. Wilkinson, wounded in leg. 

Private William Bittle, Edgmont, wounded in leg. 

Sergeant William G. Knowles, wounded in shoulder. 

Private Thomas Hance, Aston, wounded in forehead. 

Sergeant William W. Potts, wounded in foot. 

Private William Davidson, Rockdale, wounded in leg. 

Private C. Wall, Media, wounded in hands. 

Private John Pugh, Radnor, wounded in ear. 

Private M. Ford, Rockdale, wounded in the side. 

Our Colonel was wounded in the neck, but it is reported not seriously. 

I understand the regiment stands this morning: 5 killed, 42 wounded 
and 120 missing. Our missing are coming in slowly. After we left our 
first position we were then ordered to the left. We then for two hours and 
a half protected a l^attery lying immediately to the rear. We were then 
ordered to fall back, which. we did in good order. It seemed that the 
enemy's stronghold was immediately on our front. I looked over the 
field and saw hundreds of the rebels "skedaddle."' All our officers and men 
stood up to their work nobly. There was no firing yesterday from our 
cannons, and none to-day up to the present time. J. G. C. 



DIARY RESUMED. 

September. 

20th. Marched to Maryland Heights, and in the afternoon to Pleasant 
Valley and camped. 

21 St. Sunday — In camp. Divine service at 2 P. M. Evening on patrol 
at Sandy Hook, on picket. 

22d. Regiment empties its guns into the Potomac. 

23d. Gloved to Maryland Heights and went into camp. While 
encamped here Captain Norris L. Yarnall, of Company D. obtained leave 

^57 



of absence, and the Dclazvcirc Cuniily .-liiici-icaii of December 31st, 1862, 
has an account of his visit home as follows: 

One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment — Captain N. L. Yarnall, 
whose company is in this regiment, visited us on Wednesday last. He is 
every inch a soldier, and rejoices in the command of the brave men from 
this county whom he has in his charge. The regiment, which is attached 
to Kane's Brigade, is encamped in Loudon Valley, a short distance below 
Harper's Ferry, where it is expected it will remain for some time. The 
health of the company is good, but few being on ihe sick list. The captain 
gave us a glowing, but modest, account of the bloody battle of Antietam, 
in which his company was engaged throughout the day, and spoke in high 
terms of the fighting qualities of his soldiers. If all our officers had the 
same singleness of purpose as Captain Yarnall, the rebellion would soon be 
put down and the war brought to an end. 

24th. On duty on the Heights. 

25th. Relieved off picket dut}'. Sumner's Corps on Bolivar Heights. 
Balloon ascensions to locate enemy. 

26th. First day's absence of cannonading since the 14th. 

27th. All quiet. Enemy said to be at Charlestown and Winchester. 

28th. Sunday — Divine service in morning. In afternoon moved to 
Pleasant Valley. 

29th. Camped in Pleasant Valley. 

30th. Regular drills begin. 

October. 

1st. Still in Pleasant Valley Camp. We secure sutler supplies at Sandy 
Hook. 

2d. Moved back to Maryland Heights. No tents since September 6th. 
Rather tough. 

3d. Wedge tents arrive. Picket duty on Heights. 

4th. General Geary inspected our brigade this afternoon. 

5th. Received knapsacks which contained our extra clothing left at 
front of Washington before the Maryland march began. 

nth. Excessive sickness in regiment attributed to exposure and recent 
hardships. 

I2th. Sunday — Divine service in afternoon. Dress parade. 

13th. Drills m morning. Presentation of State colors in afternoon. 

T4th. Mock election in camp. Republican majority. 

15th. Friends visit regiment. Drills, dress parade. 

i6th. Regimental conditions improve. Usual drills and parade. 

17th. We drew excellent rations, but no soft bread since September 6th. 

iSth. We take up new camp, quarter of a mile north of old location. 

19th. It grows cooler and we add flues to our tent quarters. 

20th. Quite comfortable in quarters now. 

2ist. On duty, picketing on IMaryland Heights, scene of surrender. 
We are reserve at memorable breastworks. All around are bodies of sol- 
diers who were not buried. 

22d. Relieved of picket duty. Usual drills in camp. 

158 





ir?h a^D G»o . o^(Z/i iJ^ 



BRIGADIKR-GENERAL THOS. L. KANE. 



23d. Picketing along the canal. 
24th. Drills in camp. 

25th. Si.xty rounds of cartridges issued to each soldier. We arc under 
marching orders. 

26th. Still in camp, with three days' rations in haversacks. 

2-th. Boxes arrive in regiment from home friends, occasion much 
rejoicing. 

28th. Transferred from First to Second Brigade, Twelfth Army Corps. 
Moved back to Pleasant Valley. 

29th. Brigadier-General Thomas Leiper Kane takes command; Brigade 
includes 124th, 125th Pennsylvania, 123d New York and 2olh Con- 
necticut. 

[Note:— Diarist's recollection of General Thomas Leiper Kane, 
Brigade Commander. He was a brave and dashing- officer; 
greatly admired and held in high esteem by his soldiers ; yet, at 
same time, he was looked upon as a martinet, and his vigilance 
was such that few would care to risk. Thorough obedience to 
duty and a strict compliance with orders were requirements that 
he, at all times, and under all conditions, insisted upon being 
fulfilled.] 

30th. Marched through Sandy Hook to Harper's Ferry to Loudon 
Valley. The whole corps appears to be on the move. 

[Note: — In searching for records, pertaining to the regiment, 
the historian found many that were not only exceedingly sad, 
but that showed the kindly relations of true comradeship. The 
two following letters were from members of the regiment and 
published in the Dchm'arc County American, November 5, 1862.] 

WiixisTowN, October 30, 1S62. 

Died— At the Government Hospital, near Harper's Ferry, on Monday, 
the 27th of October, of typhoid fever, James B. Aitkin, of the 124th, in 
the twentieth year of his age— only son of Dr. Aitkin. 

After the battle of Antietam. in which he participated, you met his 
father daily at the post-office, with the most intense anxiety and tenderest 
solicitude for the welfare of his son depicted upon his countenance, 
inquiring for a letter. He was the only son, and none but the most 
devoted hearts could ofifer up such a precious sacrifice upon the altar of 
our country. It was done at his request, for none breathed a purer or 
more devoted patriotism. 

M length a letter came; it was from James. The gloom of uncertainty 
that had overshadowed that brow passed away. He knew the handwriting 
of the address. With what eagerness the seal was broken open, and with 
what unspeakable joy did that father and that mother read in James' 

II 161 



own handwriting that he had passed thruugh tliat most fearful battle 
unscathed and unharmed. In the "Band of Gideon" the Lord had 
preserved him. 

But how transitory are all human hopes. Our joys, how short their 
duration. The next letter (not written by James) summons the fatlier 
to the bedside of this brave and noble boy languishing upon a bed of 
sickness, from which never to rise again. He repaired to the place in time 
to soothe his last moments, and bring his remains to the land of his 
acquaintance. But his spirit is fled. His soul is emancipated from its clay 
tenement, and now dwells with the good and the brave. 

It is indeed a heartrending dispensation of Divine Providence that one 
so young, so intelligent, so moral, so brave and so universally respected, 
should be taken away so early in life. But let him sleep on in his dream- 
less bed; memory will retain his many virtues, and dark oblivion will not 
laugh over his grave. J. T. T. 

(Media American.) 

FROM THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH. 

C.-KM? ON Loudon Heiohts, Octoljer 31, 1S62. 

Mr. Editor: Before this shall reach you. you will dottbtless have heard 
of the decease, on Monday last, of two members of our company 
("Gideon's Band"). James B. Aitkin and John Pyle. To the remains of 
the latter his late comrades paid the last sad rites of sepulture, and the 
final tribute of respect, on Tuesday morning last, when we followed them 
with measured and solemn tread, to the subdued and solemn roll of the 
muffled drum beating the impressive "Dead ^Nlarch" to their present rest- 
ing place. Arriving at the grave, our captain alluded to the deceased in 
suitable and affecting terms, stating that he had known him from early 
childhood, that he had long been a member of his Sunday-school at Rock- 
dale, and that, when arrived at mature years, he had connected himself 
with the church, and it was his belief had lived the life of an earnest and 
consistent Christian. He commented upon the example of the deceased 
for imitation by those present, and having read the service for the dead, 
the flag and accoutrements in which the body was arrayed were removed, 
the form of our late companion was lowered mto the grave, three volleys 
by the detailed escort pealed out over the spot, and sadly, slowly, deeply 
impressed with what we had witnessed, we returned to camp. 

The deceased had been indisposed for some time previous, but still 
nobly insisted upon performing the duties incumbent upon him. refusing 
to complain whilst he could endure, but his Father, who "doeth all thnigs 
well," has called him home, and it is not for us to murmur against the 
doubtless wise decree, or desire that he should return from that peaceful 
rest into which he has entered, to the care, the turmoil and the suffering 
from which he has escaped. 

Our loss was no less in the death of cur other comrade, James B. Aitkin, 
for he was tenderly and justly beloved by us all. who ever found in him 

162 



a kind, unwavering friend, and brave and Irne soldier ever at his post, and 
ready for every duty. May he, too, have entered that rest in those eternal 
mansions which God has provided for his creatures. 

Our regiment has been transferred to the brigade of General Kane, 
late commander of the "Bucktails." He made his appearance whilst we 
were on battalion drill, on Wednesday last, and after shaking hands with 
all the commissioned officers, and reviewing the battalion, he said a few 
words to the regiment, and was loudly cheered, the impression thus far 
made by him being decidedly favorable. Yesterday with our new brigade 
we marched from Pleasant Valley across the Potomac, and are now 
encamped at Loudon Heights, a short distance from Harper's Ferry. 

Yours, etc., 

W. T. S. 

DIARY RESUMED. 

3rst. The regiment mustered for pay. JNIuskets stacked. Wagon trains 
delayed. 

NoT'eDtbcf. 

1st. We go into camp in Loudon Valley. Receive our tents. 

2d. Company inspection. Alarm at night on picket line; reinforcements 
sent out and we arrive at midnight. All quiet again. 

3d. Still on picket. No fires allowed at night. Heavy firing ahead. 

4th. McClellan shelling his advance; said to be explanation of firing to- 
day and yesterday. 

5th. At night advanced on picket line one mile farther on. Guerillas 
reported in neighbourhood. 

6th. Still on picket duty. Rations sent out to our line. 

7th. First snow — all day. Relieved ofif of picket. 

8th. Snow — quite fair. Regiment goes on a scout up the valley. 

gth. Cold — bad day. Sergeant of guard. 

loth. Cold out, but comfortable in camp. 

nth. Fresh bread reaches the boys to-day. Drill. 

I2th. Rain : clears out the snow. 

13th. When weather permits we have two hours' brigade drill each day. 

14th. We stockade our tents and add fire place, very comfortable. 

15th. Cold continues. 

i6th. We receive a box of mittens, a gift from the ladies of West 
Chester. An alarm at night; regiment called out to support artillery. 

17th. Cold, rain. All last night and to-day in line of battle. Rebel? 
reported advancing. Rations received from camp. 

i8th. Cold and rainy. Still in line awaiting enemy. Rough duty, but 
men stand it well. 

19th. Relieved by two other regiments, we return to camp and draw 
first whiskej' ration since service began. 

20th. The Rebel force in valley, supposed to lie Jackson's column, has 
retreated. 

163 



21 St. Cold continues, but excitement has abated. 

22d. More snow. Fresh supply of clothing received. 

23d. Sunday — Regimental inspection in morning. Divine service and 
dress parade in afternoon. 

24th. Clear and cold. Company G on picket m Loudon Valley. 

25th. On guard duty. Rain at night. 

26th. Special onion ration dealt out to-day. 

27th. Thanksgiving Day. Regimental drum corps reorganized. Large 
guns on the Heights tried. ^Nlany of the men were granted leave of 
absence to make whatever arrangements they could with neighboring 
farmers for a dinner ; some of the squads managed to get a feast of boiled 
cabbage, pork, bread, butter, molasses, honey, preserves, cofifee and pies. 

2Sth. With guard and picket duty the boys are kept active. 

29th. Again snowing. 

30th. Cold, but quiet day in camp. 
December. 

1st. General inspection of regiment. 

2d — Quarters inspected. We look for more elaborate winter quarters. 

3d. Colonel Hawley takes command of regiment ; first time since he 
was wounded at Antietam. The boys gave him a hearty welcome. 

4th. On picket duty in Shenandoah Valley, four miles from camp. Gen- 
eral Geary has ordered reconnoissance to Winchester. 

5th. Snow to depth of three inches. Relieved off of picket duty. 

6th. Coldest day so far. Snow still deep. 

7th. Company inspection. 

8th. False alarm. Regiment called into line. 

gth. jMuddy roads. Marching orders received. 

lOth. Struck tents; advance for nearly a mile and then returned to old 
quarters. 

nth. Renewed marching and made about 14 miles. Shelter tent sup- 
plies given on leaving old quarters. Three days' rations in haversacks 
and three in wagons. Passed through Hillsdale and Wheatland. 

I2th. Resumed march at 5 A. M., passed through Leesburg about 9 
A. M. Made about 15 miles and bivouacked at or near Goose Creek. 

13th. Renewed march at 7 A. M. Dined at Club Run at 3 P. M. Stopped 
at night at Plain Creek. 

14th. Fine day. JNIarched to Fairfax Court House and halted for night. 

15th. Crossed Occoquan River and camped for night. 

l6th. Awoke in morning to find it raining and ourselves soaking. 
Marched four miles and then came back half a mile and encamped for 
night. 

17th. Marched back to Fairfax Station — about 14 miles and went into 
camp. 

18th. In camp. Company and regimental drill resumed. Afternoon 
inspection. 

[XoTE OF Historian : — While at Fairfax station, ^lajor Halde- 
man obtained leave of absence, and the Dchnvarc County 

164 



American, of December 24, 1862, gave an account of his visit 
home as follows :] 

The 124TR Regiment. — Major Haldcman, of this regiment, made a flying 
visit to his home, in Media, on Monday, returning to-day. He looks well, 
and represents the men as now enjoying good health, the fever which 
prevailed having disappeared. The regiment is still at Fairfax Station, 
the same position it has occupied for several weeks, and where all remained 
quiet at last accounts. We are also pleased to be able to mention, in this 
connection, the return of some of our boys who have for some time been 
suffering from serious indisposition. Among them are our young friends 
J. Frank Black and Joseph Hall, both of whom would now appear to be 
rapidly recovering, but the latter will hardly be fit to again enter the service 
before the expiration of his term of enlistment. 

DIARY RESUMED. 

19th. Brigade review by General Kane. Huts built with shelter tents 
as roofs. Quarters comfortable. 

20th. Government bounty papers for $27 fixed up. Fine bean supper. 

2ist. $27 bounty paid. Boys feel wealthy. Sutler reaps a harvest. 

22d. Drilling. Brigade movements and skirmishing special. 

23d. Fine day. Drill and guard duty. 

24th. Visited Fairfax Court House and had a gala time. Plenty of 
supplies there. 

25th. Christmas Day. Cold and clear. No drill. We think of home 
and miss its festivities. 

26th. Brigade review. Comfortable in camp. 

27th. Company G on picket duty; called in at night. Orders to march. 

28th. Corps marched to Occoquan fortifications and lay in line of battle 
all day and night. A raid anticipated. 

29th. After a general scout, returned to old camp. 

30th. No drill, weather too bad. 

31st. Snow squalls. Mustered for pay by Colonel Hawley. When the 
regiment left Fort Blenker on September 5th it numbered 925 ; it now 
numbers but 651. 

1863. 
January. 

ist. Burlesque dress parade. Bean soup and boiled potatoes for dinner. 

2d. Brigade and skirmish drill by bugle calls. 

3d. Brigade drill and dress parade. 

4th. Company inspection. 

5th. Many of the boys suffer with colds, many receive furloughs. 

6th. Cider and pie plenty at Fairfax Court House. 

7th. The weather is changeable, but nearly all the time quite cold. 

8th. The regiment goes on scout to Wolf Run Shoals; 8 miles out. 

gth. Regiment returned from scout at 5 A. M. 

loth. Camp policed. 

nth. Regimental inspection. 

I2th. Regiment practices in skirmish drill. 

I6S 



ijth. Grand review by Generals Slocum, Williams and Kane. 

14th. Brigade drill. 

15th. Blustery and cold. No drill. 

lOth. Alany left behind regiment at Harper's Ferry hospitals. Returr. 
to-day. 

17th. The regiment receives marching orders. 

18th. Under marching orders. Waiting. 

19th. Struck tents at 10 A. Al. Crossed the Occoquan River and 
camped for the night. 

20th. Ready for march before sunrise; passed through Dumfries and 
crossed Quantico Creek and camped in woods for night. 

21 St. Avvoke in morning and found ourselves soaking wet. Roads 
terrible. Artillery and wagons hard to get along. Rain all day. We made 
but four miles. Stop at night near the Chippawamsic Creek. Rain con- 
tinues. 

22d. Company G detailed on fatigue duty, and with others succeed in 
building a bridge across Chippawamsic Creek by 10 A. ]\1. Boys again 
proceed slowly. Rain continues. Roads awful. All wet to the skin. We 
reach Acquia Creek. Another bridge must be built to cross. W^e halt 
for night. Rain continues. 

2,3d. By 10 o'clock the rain abated and we were again under way. We 
arrived at Stafford Court House and encamped in the quarters of previous 
troops. The lousiest quarters we yet struck. ]\Iiserable all around. 

2.i.th. Brigade review by Generals Slocum and Kane. Brigade compli- 
mented as the Star Brigade of the Twelfth Corps. 

25th. Sunday — Changeable weather. Divine service in afternoon. 

26th. The regiment receives its pay up to November ist. 

27th. Rainy and cold. We enjoy our bean soup. 

28th. Snowing all day and night. On picket duty. An unpleasant 
experience. 

[Note: — The historian takes the hberty to insert herewith, 
copy of letter written January 28. 1863. by Lieutenant Ralph 
Buckley, of Company D. to the Dchn^'arc County .hiicricati, and 
published in that paper (with comments of the Kditor) February 
5, 1863, as follows :] 

Army Correspondence. 

St.xfford Court House, January 28, 1863 
Respected Friend: 

I now sit down, or rather lie down, to make the attempt to acquaint you 
with the incidents of our march from Fairfax Station to this place. On 
the 14th inst.. T think, we got orders to be ready to march at any moment, 
with three days' food in haversacks and eight in wagons, and so we were 
held, momentarily expecting the shrill Inigle tc sound "'strike tents," which 
was done on the evening of the 17th, the order complied with and the 

166 



tents shipped off, the beys being deprived of the sheher afforded them by 
the tents resorted to fires, which they built many, and large ones, too. For 
some reason, which has not yet been explained, our regiment was the only 
one in the brigade that got the order to strike tents at that tmie. This fact 
naturally led us to tlie conclusion that we were going alone. 

Speculations were rife as to our destination. All the information said to 
have been olitained from reliable gentlemen, and all knowledge communi- 
cated in confidence, proved wide of the mark, tlowever, on the morning of 
the 19th, we got in line. Of two things our own senses assured us ; first, that 
the whole of the Twelfth Corps was with us, with the incident number of 
cannon, caissons, annnunition wagons, etc. Secondly, that we were expect- 
ing to have a long and rapid march, from the fact that some 200 young and 
fresh horses and an equal number of new wagons had been furnished us 
which were loaded with nothing but what was absolutely necessary for the 
success of the expedition. The roads were frozen and very rough. The 
men being encumbered with all the trappings of soldiers, their knapsacks 
on their shoulders, rendered them top heavy to a degree amounting to the 
danger of breaking their limbs in case of a slip of their feet. Many were 
the sprained ankles and liruised knees. No use to complain. Those who 
were so unfortunate as to fall would get a cursing from his neighbor for 
his awkwardness, and so on we went, and took dinner (which means, on 
a march, hard crackers and coffee) a little beyond the Occoquan Creek. 
A few moments sufficed for our meal. Off again, the sunshine giving us 
as much heat as a summer day. This began to tell on the roads by thawing. 
We made some five miles and halted for the night, some distance from 
the road, in order to be near water, and on a farm well fenced, which is 
rare to see here, they having been burnt. Just think of 20,000 men pulling 
down a worm fence, all working with a will in order to have the best bed 
and largest fire. The boys take a pride in this. Rails and water are the 
greatest want on our night halts. The field was no better than a swamp. 
Upon the mud we lay rails for a bed and built a fire. Then if you are not 
too much fatigued you may feel like scouring the country for a mile or so 
in the hope of finding a hay or straw stack. If you find one, and are smart 
enough to get an armful of its contents, before our commanders have, 
through the imbecile orders of somebody, placed guards over it, you may 
congratulate yourself on your good fortune. But, straw or no straw, there 
is not the slightest danger of your not sleeping after marching fifteen 
miles over such roads in eight hours' time. 

The noisy drums v/ake you in the morning: a short time is given you 
for breakfast, which must be over before daylight. Our second day's 
march was a repetition of the first, the evening of which we found our- 
selves at Dumfries Landing, a place of some twenty miserable looking 
buildings, called houses. It has attained some notoriety since the rebellion, 
owing to the Government creating it as a depot for army supplies. Other- 
wise it must have remained in obscurity. A man with a grubbing hoe 
would make money faster at home, digging ditches, than he could if this 
place were given to him to carry away. 

About S o'clock it commenced raining, and continued to do so with 

167 



undiminished force all nigiu. Your senses will easily conceive our condi- 
tion. Wet — everything-, blankets soaking, which added to their weight. 
Wc h('])(.d to he allowed to remain here until it would cease raining, at 
least, hut no! The bugle apprised us that forward was the word. At 
8 o'clock our column was in motion. Now comes a most difficult task. 
What was frozen ground yesterday is now deep, stubborn mud. The boys 
wouUl go slipping through it, and in it at any depth they wished. The 
longer ihey would stand the deeper they would go. The green fields 
were tried, but were no better. It was soon evident to us that the boys 
could do better if allowed to go their own way, but the star shoulder strap 
gentry insisted on an unbroken column, but it could not be done. Indeed, 
the couii)any officers had their hands ;;nd heads .fully occupied with their 
personal extraction without paying particular attention to commands. As 
you would lift your feet, you would almost believe you had trodden on a 
bullfrog, and he was l)ellowing with pain, so great was the suction of the 
nuid. h was not at all uncommon to see a soldier prying his boot out of 
tile uuul with his bayonet, after his foot had pulled out of it. In spite 
of orders to the contrary, the men, of necessity, went on their own hook 
through woods, fields, and roads in turn, and this of course led to con- 
fusion. Companies, regiments, brigades, yes, and divisions, lost their 
identity in one general mix-up, and covering, I was about to say, the whole 
courilry (well not far from it). Thus we went on for four hours, and 
luid made three miles, which brought us to a creek over v.hich a military 
bridge had been built. On our advance getting upon it, down it went. 
The rebel saw had done its work. The rain had swollen the stream to 
such an extent that fording would be fraught with difficulty and danger. 
A council was held, and the conclusion was to ford provided the artillery 
could cross. The order was sent back to forward it to the front to attempt 
a passage but to nio\e it at all with any ordinary means was out of the 
question. The deeply imbedded wheels delied the combined strength of 
double teams. Breakdowns, upsets, bruised horses, was the consequence. 
Take I he wheels otT and tote them on logs was the suggestion of one 
Yankee. So while they are preparing the logs, step back with me and see 
how the supply and ambulance trains are getting along. There is an upset, 
the load unshipped, a team of mules hitched to the elevated wheels attempt- 
ing to pull the wagon down again. See how those noble animals pull under 
the lash of the whips of half a dozen cruel drivers. Another pull, and 
both axles are broken, and these axles are no common atTair. They are 
case-hardened iron, about four inches in diameter. Of course, this 
wagon is now useless, and it is in the way of the others, as it occupies the 
whole road. Twenty or more axes soon make fragments of it, so the 
vehicle of $200 value a moment ago is used to mend the roads with. Here 
is another stickfast, a double team applied; off it goes — the mule on the 
le;ul I'reaks his chain and f.nlls down. ll will not do to stop, so the 
whole team tramp on him, the wheels of the wagon passing over his neck 
severs his head from his body, and so ends his misery. It is not worth 
our while to go farther. Like accidents, sufferings, and waste of property 
would meet the eyes to our place of starting. 

168 



It is evident we cannot leave here tn-day. Let ns rut urn and sec what 
the boys are doing. Carrying rails and cutting down trees, splitting them 
up to build their tires and beds with — carrying straw and cutting pine 
leaves for their bedding. "This damned wet wood won't burn. 1 have 
most blown my gizzard out, and my eyes are smoked out."' "Keep your 
d— d big feet off that rail." "Do you want to upset my coffee, you — ?" 
"Say, pardner, lend me your axe a moment." "No, I'll be cursed if I'll 
carry an axe for all hands." "You be d — d and keep your axe; it's good 
for nothing anyliow.'' Such sayings you will hear on all sides. 

After being enveloped in the smoke emitted from a thousand fires, which 
the close growth of pine tops and heavy atmosphere will not permit to 
reach its wonted sphere, where the wood is converted into a vast smoke- 
house, any change is a relief, notwithstanding the rain continues. So let 
us go into the creek. Here are eight hundred men detailed from dift'erent 
regiments, building two bridges, one for the wagons and the other for 
the troops. The former must needs be a formidable structure. All day 
and night will be required to complete it. As there is nothing to interest 
here, and having no inclination to lend an assisting hand, let us return and 
get another smoking and get our coft'ee. It is now dark, the wagons are 
coming up one at a time. The horses are unhitched and sent back to assist 
the rest. See how their limbs tremble, note the thick welts raised by the 
whip, mark how ihej' quake, showing a high state of nervousness as the 
loud curses- of their drivers strike their sensitive ears. The heart sickens 
at the sight. Let us hope that (if there is any horse heaven) the army 
horse will go there. We cannot reasonably hope as much for their drivers. 
They will go to a worse place if not purged of their cruelty and wicked- 
ness. Now let us turn in, in order to be ready in the morning for the 
command, "forward, march." The cold sleet which fell through the night 
impeded the progress of the bridges, so that we did not start until noon. 
The rain having ceased, the radiant sun was a godsend to us. The bridge 
IS safely crossed — the roads somewhat better for a time, but eventualh' we 
get into the same dilemma which characterized the march of preceding 
days; upsets and breakdowns are prevalent. But here is Acquia Creek, 
and the bridge destroyed by the incendiary torch of our Rebel foes. Stop 
we must. Rails, fire, water and straw were again in requisition. This 
farm is the best I have seen in Virginia, with commodious and costly 
buildings upon it, filled to overflowing, and straw outside in stacks as 
large as the Delaware County Court House, showing the affluence of its 
possessors. To get some of his abundance was solicited by purchase with 
greenbacks, but such overtures were spurned with disdain. "I will neither 
give you nor sell you anything for a hundredfold its value. I have plenty 
of your greenbacks, but what use are they? Your Government will not 
pernvit me to procure a pound of sugar." And with this he would 
insultingly order us off his place, and would tauntingly turn on the guard 
who had been placed there by our commanders to stop us from taking a 
spear of straw to lay upon, and vehemently demand of him to drive us oft' 
by his sabre. The fact that this man having such a vast amount of 
produce on hand, and not lieing molested by the Rebels, is evidence to 

169 



prove his loyalty to them, but he makes no secret of his selfish proclivities 
He claims to have been a Union man up to the time the President called 
out the 300,000, since which he is impudent enough to admit, boastfully, 
too, that he has been for secession. He is said to have thirty slaves. We 
saw a sample, a girl of fifteen years of age. Her clothing was comprised 
of a frock, thrown upon her, looking as if arms had been affixed to a flour 
bag, and a hole cut in the bottom, through which her head protruded and 
upon which the wool was like the quills on a porcupine. She was 
attempting, as she said, to drive a refractory calf out of the way of the 
Yankees. She did some of the tallest swearing we ever heard. It is not 
in accordance with my views, nor the desire of any man in our corps, 
that the property of such a man should be vigilantly guarded by Union 
troops. Yet it is so. I suppose if we had taken what we needed and 
burned the balance, the rebel guerillas of Stuart's Cavalry would not get 
their wants supplied if they chanced that way. Three Rebel pickets were 
captured on this place. They were taken to the house, and, no doubt, 
were made very comfortable by their host. Our generals also quartered 
there. We killed some cattle that came with us. the meat of which we 
relished, I assure you — the first we had had for some time. 

Morning came — the creek crossed — mud prevailing to any depth we 
wished, but the roads being corduroyed, the bottom was solid, and over 
whicl'i the teams got along remarkably well. In the evening we reached 
this place, where the huts built by the Eleventh Corps were assigned to 
us, who left them on ^Monday, as report has it, to join Burnside, but only 
succeeded in going se\en miles, and tbtn stuck in the mud, and are still 
there. 

We know not what our movement was intended to accomplish, or 
•vhcther it had any connection with something contemplated by Burnside 
or not. In fact we know nothing of the army or its movenients. our own 
divisions excepted. We have not seen a paper for two weeks. We do not 
attach much importance to this, as the accounts of and suggestions to the 
army, are mostly read only to be ridiculed for their absurdities. We suppose 
they are in.'^isting that this army shall move the shortest road to Rich- 
mond, and scatter the Rebels as easy as your devils, in a fit of passion, 
would knock a stick of type into pi. If these gentry had their sanctums 
here to see with their own eyes, and not through those of their reliable and 
special correspondents, as they are wont to call air-brained soldiers who 
choose to address a communication to them, T think they would drop 
much of their well-meaning advice to our generals and become practical 
men instead of theoretic enthusiasts. Why, sir, I venture to say that there 
is not an editor in our Congressional District who could continue to publish 
his paper for want of couriers, if your roads were half as bad as they are 
here. Your hum?ne citizens would enact an edict making the publishers 
lial)le to. a criminal prosecution for b'-utality to the men and horses used 
at such employment. 

You will conclude from the foregoing that we have had a hard time in 
getting here, and that the place and the surroundings are as bad as they 
:an be imw we are here. \\'hen we first arri\-ed we could purchase cheese 

170 



at 50 cents and butter at 75 cents per pound; l)ut now we cannot procure 
anything at any price. If it were possible to have our ordinary rations in 
its variety it would Ije more than sufficient for our wants, but this cannot 
be done. Coffee, with a scarcity of '-ugar, and army crackers, constitute 
our food. This you will conclude is dry living. So do we, but all right 
thinking men will make but little complaint since they have realized the 
difhculties of transportation. 1 am fearful we shall have no improvement 
in this respect soon. It is wonderful how well the men are under the 
circumstances. 

I am most happy to inform you that my health has been excellent. I 
have not missed one hour's duty since we came on account of sickness, 
or otherwise, for which I feel grateful. The Major is well. Remember me 
to my friends. 1 would be much pleased to have a line from you. Missives 
from those we are wont to call friends at home are most welcome here 
and eagerly looked for. 

With great respect, I am yours truly, 

Ralph Buckley. 

Comments of the Media American on the above letter: 

The 124TH Regiment. — We publish in to-day's American a long and 
interesting letter from this regiment. It was written to a gentleman in 
Media. It will be seen that the health of the men is good, considering 
all circumstances. The writer says in a postscript which we have omitted 
in its proper place, that they have been paid up to the 31st of October, 
out of which Captain Woodcock's company (of which he is a commissioned 
officer), and we will add, as brave and as faithful a one as the country 
can produce, have sent home to their families the sum of $2,988. There is 
one statement in the letter which strikes us as something astonishing. It 
is that which relates to the guarding and protecting of Rebel property. 
The writer, and he is an out-and-out Democrat, speaks boldly and sensibly 
upon this point, and characterizes it as imbecility. It is even worse than 
imbecility; it is murder. We have no hope for the Army of the Potomac 
or any other army, as long as such a course is pursued, and if this imbecile 
way of crushing the rebellion has been adopted by the administration, wc 
almost despair of the end of it and the ultimate triumph of the Union. It 
is time the people v.'ere speaking out upon the subject, and put the seal 
of condemnation upon such a reckless mode of procedure. It is far worse 
than murder, because in the end it must sacrifice thousands of lives. We 
must not, we cannot, permit it longer. 

1)1AR\' RESUMED. 

2gth. Sno\v melting. We returned to camp. 

.^oth. Bought a miserable pie at Stafford Court House for seventy-five 
cents. Eatables scarce. 

31st. A better day, and we enjoy the cliange. 
fcbrnary. 

1st. Sunday — Divine service at 4 P. M. 

171 



2d. Was at Stafford Court House. The Court House aud jail used by 
commissary. No families remain in town. 
3d. Snow again. 
4th. Dull in camp. 
5th. Picket duty. Snow and drizzling day and night. 

[Note — Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather that 
the diarist has jnst recorded, one of the members of the regiment 
takes occasion to express his views in a letter to the Editor of the 
Delaware County American, and published in that paper on Feb- 
ruary nth, 1863. Copied by the historian, it is as follows:] 

Army of the Potomac. Feliruary 5, 1863. 

Friend Vernon : — In these days when friends are faint-hearted, and foes 
active and jubilant, the visits of a paper outspoken and unfaltering as yours, 
to the quiet of our storm-bound camp, are pleasant and cheering, and at 
the same time each new visit brings to mind the oft-repeated promise to 
write to you, and through your columns to hosts of friends whose firesides 
they visit, and whose hearts are ever beating sympathetically to every note 
of cheer from the army upon which the hope of our Nation trusts. It is 
not necessary for me to repeat the oft-told tale of our troubles, our long- 
tried but unfailing patience, and our repeated failures at the very culminat- 
ing point of trial from causes beyond the power of the subordin.ate to 
govern. All these things are as w'ell known to you as to us. But I may- 
speak of this army as it is, of its needs, and its capabilities, and of what it 
expects and requires of the friends at home, and of the day of reckoning 
to those who turn against them to-day, because thinking them bound hand 
and foot by the bonds of military law, which will come as surely as the 
steady succession of day and night rolls around the passing years. 

Of General Hooker, our new commander, I shall say but little, because 
the people at home know as much of his reputation as I do from personal 
acquaintance, but his first executive act as Commander of the Army of the 
Potomac, has struck a deep chord in the hearts of the army, whose vibra- 
tion will re-echo in every county of the land where absent friends are long- 
ing for a sight of absent faces. IMany a mother, wife, sister and child will 
bless General Hooker as they clasp once more the loved soldier, even 
though it is but for a day, and the soldier will return to his post a nevv' 
recruit in zeal and determination to endure to the end. Good will is the 
first step in the road to confidence and respect, and General H. has by a 
single stroke of the pen, secured the good-will of the whole arm}-, rank and 
file, as well as at least the subordinate regimental officers, and the reaction 
in his favor and the new spirit visible around us can be attributed to 
nothing else but the hearty good-will with which the order granting' 
furloughs has been received. 

The order was that two out of every hundred men, and two officers of 
the line and one of the staff might be allowed absence from each regiment 
at a time for ten days, unless living in distant States, and to such fifteen 

172 



days are allowed. One party is already on the road or at home, and the 
wisdom of the order makes all the rest zealous to watch that these return at 
their lawful time, for the next party cannot go till these return, and still 
others wait impatiently for their succeeding turn. This is the first twilight 
glimpse of hope of seeing home for the men or officers who have not been 
unfortunate enough to be sick or disabled. The rigor of the past rules has 
caused many to envy the sick, many to feign sickness, or to make much of 
little sickness, and many to desert because no plea of necessity, no urgency 
of important and vital financial interest at stake, and no tale, however well 
proved, of the most pressing calls of natural affection tortured by impend- 
ing death of those nearest and dearest, whose faces had not been seen 
for months upon months, could produce the slightest yielding of the hard 
rules of war. Let your plea be what it may, the answer always was, 
"thousands of such cases occur every day. If we let you go, we must let 
others go, and break up the army.'' Now we see foreshadowed in General 
Hooker's first general executive action a new spirit which looks beyond 
the musket and sabre of the ranks, and sees behind them the heart of a 
man, and still overlooking follows the longing affections of that heart to 
the home ever in view, and opens the door and says, freely go, only as 
freely return. General H. had touched the heart-strings of the army, and 
the army's friends. Who dare say that he will have a less effective army 
in a month for this? What better missionaries can the Government send 
to every district of the land than such as this, to counteract the lying 
traitorous influence of "peace brawlers," whose love of slavery makes them 
ready to sacrifice army and country, honor and all but their pusillanimous 
selves, rather than see the slaves freed from the last strong dungeon of 
the world. 

There is still hope for the Army of ihe Potomac, and that hope does not 
alone rest upon the shoulders of a single general, as many so loudly 
declaim. AI. D. 

DIARY RESUMED. 

6th. Again we have fresh bread ; the first for many weeks ; also fresh 
beef. 

7th. Bad weather suspends drill. 

8th. Sunday — Regimental inspection. Divine service at 4 P. M. 

9th. Brigade drill under difficulties 

[Note by Historian — War news being scarce at this time, 
Jos. Ad. Thompson, correspondent of the regiment, avails himself 
of the opportunity to express himself on general National affairs 
in a letter to the Dclazcarc County American, and published 
therein February iith, 1863, as follows:] 

Washington, February 9, 1863. 
Correspondence or the "American :" 

D. A. Veknon : 

Dear Sir: — Those who have watched the New York Stock Market for 
the past week have observed with pleasure the tendency to fall in the 

173 



price ui gold, ynd a imich better feeiiiig tuward public securities. This 
fall has taken place in spite of the late news from Charleston, which, 
while it has somewhat checked it, has failed to restore it to its former 
figure. For the first time in some months tiiere have been more sellers 
thon buyers of coin, and as a consequence there has been a demand for 
Umted States stocks at increased rates. Gold is the great barometer of 
pul)lic credit. There is no mistaking" its index, and as a compensating pen- 
dulum it adjusts itself to public opinion with unerring accuracy. With the 
increase of public confidence it seeks its proper level, and it ever reflects 
the condition of our governmental policy. Having ceased to be a circulat- 
ing medium, it has taken its place among the fancy stocks, where it regu- 
lates the price of every merchantable commodity. The question naturally 
arises: what has caused this decline in the price of gold? I do not think 
it can be the financial scheme before Congress, inasmuch as it has not been 
matured as yet, and in its present form it is in some respects calculated to 
increase its present value. It is the plan proposed by Mr. Chase in some 
particulars, it is true, but then there are so many important deviations 
from his, that it is impossible to tell at this day what will be the important 
features of the bill when it shall finally be passed, and become a law. For 
my part I do not think that this financial scheme has much to do with it. 
I believe that there is no sane man in the loyal States who does not believe 
that the United States can command resources sufficient to pay every 
cent of its indebtedness, principal and interest, even if every dollar 
of our war expenses should be paid by issuing paper currency. We never 
knew our resources until the war began, and I am inclined to believe that 
we do not know them fully yet. We have not thrown ourselves upon for- 
eign powers for loans to prosecute the war, but ha.ve raised the means our- 
selves ; as a general rule have done so at terms highly advantageous to the 
Government. And to-day, even while Northern disloyalists are croaking 
about debt and taxation, and are earnestly endeavoring to increase their 
burdens by their endeavors to break down public faith in the Nation's 
ability to meet its demands — even now — amidst the hubbub, capitalists are 
inquiring after Government stocks at an increased rate, and cannot pur- 
chase. This fact speaks volumes in favor of the National credit, and gives 
the lie to those men who would disgrace their country by destroying its 
credit, and thus deprive it of the great sinew of vital strength. 

I trace this change to another cause. I believe that gold has reached the 
turning point in the scale of prices, and that henceforth it must sub- 
serve, !iot rule, the Government. A fictitious premium upon coin, and the 
consequent increase in prices, is always injurious and oppressive to the 
laboring man, Iiecause prices of commodities advance at a greater ratio 
than the price of gold, and continue at this high figure for a longer time. 
The merchant who has purchased goods at a low price is ever ready to 
advance the price upon the slightest reason, because it vastly increases his 
profits, and he who has purchased at an advanced rate is very slow in bring- 
ing down the selling price, when there is a fall in the market, and will 
not do so until actually pressed to it. Therefore I say that this inflation of 
the price of gold is absolutely ruinous to the poor man (whose labor is 

174 



all uur wealth), and liuw nian\- of our citizens who depend upon their 
labor for their support can chime in with these vultures upon our National 
credit is to me a mystery. They are committing suicide, taking poison in 
order to induce others to do so. 

But I am digressing. I said 1 trace the change to another cause, and it 
is this. The people are beginning to discover that this war is to be prose- 
cuted upon different principles than heretofore. For nearly two years has 
the Administration held out the olive branch to Southern traitors, and 
endeavored by conciliatory measures to win them Ijack to ihe I'nion. 
Their property has been respected, and their negroes left as before under 
the direction of their Rebel masters. Months rolled by, months of battle, of 
trial, of death, during which we organized and disbanded magnificent 
armies, and yet the grand work of crushing the rebellion was scarcely 
begun. Men of the North, who had sent their sons, and brothers, or who 
had gone themselves into the battle, began to fear for the salvation of 
the country, undei- such a policy, which was fanned into a belief by the mal- 
contents at home, until at length men whispered to their neighbors that 
our army z^'as not loyal. Officers had been placed in command who, as 
recent court martials proved, had not only been wanting in patriotism 
themselves, but had poisoned the men with their own sentiments. Our 
armies had sufl'ered defeat, not because of want of military talent in the 
army, but because many of our prominent generals seemed more intent 
upon their prosperity than that of the Nation. I write this with shame, 
but the testimony before ihe McDowell and Porter investigations have 
made it a matter of history. And because of this state of affairs a howl 
went up against the Administration because of the inactivity of the army 
in the East. In the West things went bravely on, for men had their 
hearts in the cause of their country, until Buell well nigh robbed the army 
of all it? former glory. 

The howl against the Administration became louder, and what is exceed- 
ingly strange, it was made by the friends of those generals who were the 
real cause of what they complained. 

For my part, what I admire most in the President, is that very thing 
of which many complain. True, he placed in high and responsible positions 
those practically opposed to him. True, that he seemed to give the prefer- 
ence to those men for those places. True, he supplied them with whatever 
they demanded without stint and without question, and it is equally true 
that he sustained them long after public sentiment had placed upon them 
a strong suspicion at least. But to the candid mind, this must all weigh 
largely in his favor, and redound to his honor, even though as events 
have proven, it was to say the least, a mistake. When Mr. Lincoln 
became President, the old lines of party distinction had been severed. 
There were but two parties, the friends of the Union and the friends 
of disunion. War was upon us, and every man had to decide for or 
against his country. The Administration is the country; through it alone 
can it be saved, and he who wished to give his support to the latter became 
the friend of the former. The President evidently took this view of it. 
and throwing aside all party distinctions, he knew but one creed — loyalty 

175 



to the Union — and when those who had opposed his election stepped for- 
ward to his support, he gave them the double credit of throwing away 
party for country, and placed them in power. How well they have wielded 
that power recent investigations fully show ; but let no man charge upon 
the Administration the results of this misplaced confidence. On the other 
hand, in strong contrast with the actions of these designing men, that of 
the President blazes out in fuller glor\'. 

But now mark the change. Truth has developed itself, and the army is 
purged of this element, which was taken in trust. A new regimen is 
proclaimed. ^len in position must not only have ability, but must be 
above suspicion on the score of loyalty. The olive branch, so long held out 
to the Rebels, is thrown aside after being laughed at by them, and all the 
resources in our power are to be used to subdue this traitor rebellion. 
The decree has gone forth declaring emancipation to the slave, and hence 
the removal of the cause of the war. A resolve has been made to rid our 
country of the cause which has kept us in commotion for half a century, 
and which has drawn the lifeblood from one hundred thousand soldiers 
of the North. Nay, more than that, acting upon that truism, 

"Who would be free, himself must strike the blow,'' 

the negro is to be armed, and instead of assisting the power that chains 
him, and slaughters us, he is to aid in his own regeneration from bondage. 
This is the keynote now struck by the Nation, and the increased confi- 
dence of the conununity attests its virtue and its power. 

I do not care what squeamish notions men may liave on the question, 
in the abstract; I do not care what fastidious ideas they may have about 
caste and color, for if I did, I might stop to debate this feature of 
National policy myself. I know it is a means in our power of crushing 
the rebellion and restoring peace and honor to the Nation, and knowing 
this, as a loyal man, I say God speed. We must not, in this our hour of 
trial, suppose that we can sip nectar and call upon Jupiter for aid. We 
must not suppose when disease preys upon us that the medicine for its 
cure will always be palatable, but we must use our means to the end, and 
know nothing but the cause of our common country. 

The proclamation of emancipation is called a paper proclamation. So it 
is as yet. The blockade was called a paper blockade, so it was for half a 
year. The Declaration of Independence was called a paper declaration, 
and so it was for seven years, but trial, and trust, and courage, and blood, 
and the use of all means in our power, gave it life and law and us liberty. 
And so the use of the negroes, as yet, may be paper pronunciaments, but 
as they are to be used to perpetuate our Nation, and not as heretofore, to 
destroy it, I believe, in God's own time, that it will work their ransom, 
and our own. The signs of the times indicate this. The inflexible laws of 
trade, that know nothing but law% prove that it is no idle hypothesis. Gold, 
the king of Wall Street, has already moved the finger upon the dial plate 
of public credit, and to me, shows that our Nation, in its throes of agony, 
has passed the turning point. Let us now look forward with faith and 
hope. The vile hootings of foreign nations, and more vile bowlings of our 

1-6 



disloyal people, has failed to destroy our National credit, and we have con- 
ckisivel}^ demonstrated that henceforth we have only to use well our 
resources in order to do \vell the Godlike work of regenerating our 
Nation. 

Yours truly, 

"Steele Penne." 

DIARY RESUMED. 

February. 

loth. Drills. Special practice in load and fire, 

nth. Picket duty at old mill race. Rations for four days. 

I2th. Good tnuts with 12 men at the old mill. 

14th. Skirmish at our outer picket post. Rebs repulsed. A raid is 
feared on the mill. Great caution exercised. 

15th. Returned to camp, relieved off of picket. 

i8th. Rain, and another day in camp idleness. 

19th. On picket duty. Roads almost unusable. 

21 St. Three days' ration of fresh bread. What's up? 

22d. Heavy snow fall. Men receive furloughs. 

24th. Boys indulge in snow ball exercise in camp. 

25th. Alarm on picket line. One-half the regiment on picket and guard. 

26th. Raining. Alarm a mystery. 

27th. Bad day ; big mess of bean soup. 

28th. Regiment again mustered for pay. 

March. 

1st. Rain. Our barrel flue takes fire, but is soon under control. 

2d. Better quarters secured for regiment ; surrounded by trees. 

3d. Picket duty. Strict orders for watchfulness. No fires at night 
allowed. 

4th. Two days' rations of fresh bread. Better conditions in camp and 
weather. 

5th. On fatigue duty on corduroy roads. We cut and load timber. 
Each company has its special work. 

6th. Brigade practice for review before General Hooker. Roads 
improve. 

7th. Regiment in line for inspection, but no authorized officer appears. 

gth. Regimental inspection. Men highly complimented. 

loth. Snow squalls. Bean soup the big card. 

nth. Removed to new camp, one mile north of old quarters. 

I2th. Regiment called into line at 3 A. M. Attack expected on landing 
half mile distant. Daylight found all well. 

Tj^th. On picket at Kane's landing. Oysters quite plentiful in creek. 
Strict orders on picket keep us watchful. 

1.4th. Returned off of picket. Had a big dinner in camp; fried beef, 
gravy and crackers. 

15th. Sunday — Thunder and lightning. Regimental inspection. Divine 
service in afternoon; General Kane and staff present. 

12 177 



i6th. Three days' rations of fresh bread and fresh beef make all happy. 

i/th. Brigade review by General Williams. =* 

i8th. Brigade drill. Division review by General Slocum. False alarm 
on picket line. 

19th. Grand review in ihe morning by General Hooker, Commander 
of the Army of the Potomac Heavy cannonading at Fredericksbnrg. 

20th. Snow. Qnarters inspected by the Surgeon-General ; Army of the 
Potomac. 

[Note — Amid the cold and storms of winter, many a voung- 
soldier passed froim earthly scenes as a result of disease or from 
wounds received in battle. The following- "Tributes of Respect," 
copied by the historian from the Dclazcarc Comity American of 
March 25th. 1863, are but reminders of many such incidents:] 

Camp near Stafford C. H., March 20. 1863. 

At a meeting of the members of Company B, Captain Woodcock, 124th 
Regiment, P. V., a committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive 
of the regrets of the company on learning of the death of our late com- 
panion in arms, James Makin, at the Lincoln Hospital, Washington, D. C, 
of typhoid fever. The following are the names of the committee : Sergeant 
R. T. Williams, Thomas Chambers, Corporal William Major, John Patter- 
son, Pliram Hizer. 

It is with feelings of profound sorrow that we assemble to pay this 
tribute of respect to the memory of our deceased brother, and to offer 
words of sympathy to his wife and relations. He had among his comrades 
in arms many sincere friends, and no enemies. His death, alas ! is but an 
oft-told tale in these sad days of our history. A patriotic sense of duty 
to his country impelled this noble-minded man to forego the attractions of 
home and the quiet pursuits of peaceful life, and offer his services to hi.^ 
country. But disease, the most dreaded foe of the soldier, ever hovering 
in the camp, claimed him, and the spirit of Jatrics Makin was freed from a 
world of strife to a peaceful home in Heaven. Thus another is added to the 
sad list of deaths on the records of Company B, and another patriotic 
soldier been sacrificed to the insatiate ■Moloch of this sanguinary rebellion. 
It was but meet that his remains should be interred in Rockdale church- 
yard, where they may gently repose far from the noise of battle feuds and 
war's excitmg alarms. Let bright flowers shed their perfume on his hon- 
ored grave, and summer birds chant his requiem. 

Rcsolzrd, That a copy of the foregoing be sent to the wife of the 
deceased soldier, and that it be published in the DcloK'arc County American. 

Sergf.ant R. T. Williams, Cliaimian. 
HiKAM Chambers, Secretary. 

178 



Tribute to William Heyburn, deceased. The members of Company D, 
i2-|th P. v., have offered a tribute of respect to William Heyburn, one of 
their late comrades-in-arms. At a meeting for the purpose, of which J. F. 
WorriloA- was chairman, and WiUiam Martin, secretary, a committee, 
consisting of John Palmer, Menanda Slack and David W. Eyre, was 
appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the high regard of the com- 
pany for the deceased, and to offer words of sympathy to his relatives. 
They set forth his virtues, his faithfulness and his bravery, and the high 
esteem with which he was regarded by his officers and companions. In 
their intercourse with him he exhibited the qualities of the soldier and 
Christian. A copy of the resolutions were sent to each of the county 
papers and also to the family of the deceased. 

TRIBUTES OF RESPECT. 
At a meeting of the members of Company F. 124th Regiment, P. V., 
held at their camp near Stafford Court House, Va., March 20th, 1863, the 
following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted : 

Whereas. God, in His infinite wisdom, has permitted death to enter our 
ranks and claim for his own two of our comrades-in-arms, one, Hamilton 
Monaghan, by disease; the other, Charles Roxburg, by wounds received 
m the i)attle of Antietam ; we take this method of rendering our tribute of 
respect to their memory, and of condolence with their friends ; therefore. 

Resolved, That we deeply deplore the loss of our dead fellow-soldiers, 
who were a pleasure and a comfort to us, always kind, always prompt to 
their post duty, but while feeling their loss, we acknowledge the hand of 
God in this dispensation, and bow humbly to His wisdom and power. 

Rcsok'cd, That while we miss their answering voices at our daily roll- 
calls, we hope to meet them wdiere the rude shocks of war never occur, 
and the roll-call of the army of God is sung by Angels from the Lamb's 
Book of Life. 

Rcsohcd, That we lovingly sympathize with their mourning relatives 
and friends in this sad affliction, but while doing so, we must ask them 
to look to God for that comfort which passeth the power of man to give, 
and Who has promised a home in that "house not made with hands, eternal 
in the Heavens," to every one who does His bidding. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to each of the fami- 
lies of the deceased, and published in the Chester and Delaware County 
papers. 

Sergeant George R. Maxton, Presidejit. 
Lieutenant W. D. Christman, 
Lieutenant Wm. H. Whitehead, 
Corporal Joseph P. Way, 

Coininittee. 

DIARY RESUMED. 

March. 

2ist. Snow. Pea soup for dinner; not equal to bean. 

22d. Rigid regimental inspection in morning. Band of 17th Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry gave concert in afternoon. 

179 



23cl. Non-commissioned officers drili special and dress parade. 

24th. We are assigned to new brigade and bid good-bye to best quarters 
we had in Virginia. We move to within one mile of Acquia Creek and 
camp in woods. 

25th. Brigade review. Our brigade now includes 29th, 109th, iiith, 
124th and 125th, all Pennsylvania troops, General Thomas L. Kane. 
Second Division, General John W. Geary, and Twelfth Army Corps, 
General H. W. Slocum. An onward movement to Fredericksburg 
anticipated. 

26th. On picket duty at a proposed new fort. 

27th. Brigade review by General Geary. Dress parade. 

28th. Rumored evacuation of Fredericksburg. 

[Note by Diarist — The muddy march while our corps was 
hurried forward to reinforce General Burnside's Army before 
Fredericksburg was a winter experience in Virginia that will 
never pass from memory. Transferred from the mountain dis- 
tricts next to Loudon Valley, where the camp life and environ- 
ments were most delightful, we now came upon the reverse con- 
ditions. The infantry in its marches kept along the sides of the 
roads and made fairly good headway, but the artillery and the 
wagon trains had the experience of their lives. It was an 
ordinary sight to see the wheels immersed to the hub and mules' 
ears about the only things in sight of those faithful quadrupeds.] 

29th. Regimental inspection. 

30th. On duty with 15 men at Acquia Creek landing. 

31st Snow; bad day. 

[Note — In the opinion of the historian, the realities of war 
cannot be better described than by those who took an active part 
in it. The following letter and comments are copied from the 
Dcknvarc County American of April 8th, 1863. The writer, Ralph 
Buckley, was Lieutenant of Company B :] 

FRO^I THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH 

REGIMENT. 

THE VOICE OE A DELAWARE COUNTY DEMOCRAT. 

The following excellent letter from a Delaware County Demo- 
crat, and an officer in the 124th Regiment, will be read with inter- 
est by the people of this county. Among the very warmest friends 
of the writer are to be found those who cling the closest to the 
copperheads, and we ask them what they think of his opinion of 

180 



the position they occupy ? WiU they accept his words as the 
coitnsel of a friend? If he falls, and Heaven protect his patriotic 
heart, he deserves "it to be recorded that he zeas no copperhead." 
Thank God for such men in this hour of trial. None are deserv- 
ino- of greater honor. We cannot but loathe with all our hearts 
the vipers in our midst, who have been left as friends at home, 
who. bv the position they assume, are speeding- Rebel bullets with 
deadlier aim at loyal hearts. Knowing this, we ask them, can they 
eo to their beds and rest in comfort? We think not, for we vet 
believe them human. The letter is addressed to Isaac Halde- 
man, of Media, who has kindly handed it to us for publication. 

Camp near Acquia Crkek Landing, Va., ]\Iarch 30, 1863. 
To Isaac Haldeman : 

Esteemed Friend: At our last interview allusion was made to the 
despondent feeling which prevailed in the army at that time. It is most 
gratifying to inform you that that feeling has passed away. This change 
has been so gradual as to be almost imperceptible, so the mind can 
scarcely realize in the absence of victory to our arms, that the army of 
January is still on the banks of the Rappahannock. But we know it is 
composed of the same men with greatly changed feelings. The days of 
wholesale desertion are among the past; the sullen compliance to orders 
has given way to cheerfulness and apparent determination. The policy 
of this or that measure of the Administration is less canvassed and sub- 
jected to less speculation. Not to ridicule orders, but to obey them, is 
the plain duty of a soldier. This principle seems to be better understood. 
The feeling against the powers that be, which the enlistment of the negro 
engendered, is also passing away. It is only by those whose patriotism (if 
they had any) is worn out, and who are therefore tired of the service, that 
objection is made to the colored soldier. This class grasps at every pretext, 
either real or imaginary, which is calculated to draw odium on those they 
have sworn to serve, and thus detract attention from their own sinister and 
cowardly motives. The 125,000 deserters have lessened their number. 
Whilst it is true that the great majority of this army have a strong 
prejudice against the colored race which forbids their equality, still I 
assure you that the patriot and soldier who has settled on the fact that this 
rebellion cannot be put down except by the force of arms, will not object 
to who uses the weapons. The reality of war in which they have taken a 
faithful part has driven all such nonsense out of them. They have 
awakened to realize the magnitude of this confl'ct. They are therefore 
willing that any and every expedient within the reach of the Government 
shall be used for the consummation for which they are hazarding their 
lives. If the apparent inactivity of Hooker has been productive of no good 
other than the working of this change of feeling in the minds of the troops, 
the time has been profitably spent. But more has been effected. ]\Iaterial 

181 



changes have been made in all the departments. The Grand right, Grand 
left and Grand center, Grand reserve corps or divisions under so many 
Major-Generals, in a measure independent of each other, made so possibly, 
to divide the honors, with a Banks, a Sumner, a Franklin, a Porter, a 
Seigel, etc., it was not strange that ihere should be but little honors to 
divide under such an organization (or rather in the absence of organiza- 
tion). Hooker has discarded this Grand Division system, regarding them 
as they have proved to be — so many grand humbugs, out of which let us 
hope he has created a Grand Army. Many changes have been made in 
these appointments. The troops from different States have been as far as 
possible brigaded together. This arrangement has changed us ; we have 
five regiments from our owmi State in our brigade. 

At a review a few days ago General Kane addressed the officers of his 
command in truly eloquent language. Said he : ''Gentlemen, we have over 
2,500 men for duty in this brigade, all Pennsylvanians, quite a number 
to disgrace our noble Commonwealth if we do not stick together. We can 
effect much if we mutually support each other. If we act the part of good 
soldiers, gentlemen, we shall confer everlasting glory on our State, and 
honor to your own names. There is no reason why the brigade should not 
be as much of a unit as the battalion is, and I mean that this brigade shall 
be. I enjoin upon you to use what time we may have to the utmost 
extent in bringing your respective commands to the highest order of fight- 
ing trim. We shall not have to wait longer than two weeks (one of 
which has passed) before we get what will be gratifying to me, and I 
know it will be so to you ; namely, the order to drive the enemy of our 
country from over yonder." Ivluch more was said, but my feeble pen 
cannot do him justice. He is very vehement in his delivery. He has no 
rival in his hatred toward the Rebels. He has an amount of perseverance, 
determination and valor that is not embodied in any other man of 5 feet 
4 inches high and of 95 pounds weight. We have other evidences of an 
early engagement on rebeldom. New guns have been substituted for those 
out of sorts on minor points. Indeed, every article that is not clear grit 
is to be cast aside and better substituted. Clothing, good and abundant, 
has been supplied. This in itself has raised the self-importance of the 
soldier, when he compares his present appearance with the shoeless, ragged 
and dirty being he was a short time ago. An order has been issued direct- 
ing the superfluous baggage of officers to be sent to the rear, as none will 
be hauled on our next move ; even forage is to be transferred on the backs 
of pack mules. Our march is not to be retarded by a cumbersome wagon 
train which would make the roads impassable for ammunition, ordnance 
and troops, besides the large body of men necessary to guard it will be 
dispensed with. Good corduroy roads have been constructed radiating from 
Falmouth in several directions, so MUD will not be the conquering general 
on this side of the river at all events, and if we get on the opposite side in 
good shape, surely we can move as readily as our enemy. If we succeed, 
as I have faith we shall, in driving the Rebels from their boasted works, 
our curtailed wagon train will facilitate the pursuit and possibly be the 
means of enabling us to gain or cover the works before Richmond. If 

182 



this is accomplished I shall feel grateful that it has been my privilege to 
participate in it. If I should he numbered with the dead we will not meet 
again (I have better hopes, Init it is possible). If it should so happen, 
however. I desire it to be recorded that I was no copperhead, but anything, 
no matter how loathsome the name, that would crush this hellish conflict 
and restore my adopted country to its once more happy and prosperous 
condition. Hoping this scribble will find you as it leaves the regiment, in 
good health, may we of the Seventh Congressional District do our full duty 
in this, the afternoon of our service. Remember me to my friends. 

I am truly yours, 

Ralph Buckley. 
DIARY RESUMED. 
April. 

isl. Lieutenant Whitehead and I secured passes and went to Falmouth; 
had a good time with friends in the 95th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and 
rtniairied over night with friends in the 68th P. V. 

2d. Alade a detour of camps about Potomac bridge, particularly inter- 
ested in bayonet exercise of Zouaves. Returned to camp at Acquia Creek. 

3d. Two and a half hours' company drill in morning, same in regimental 
drill in afternoon; dress parade in evening. 

4th. Brigade drill three hours in morning. 

5th. Snow to depth of three inches ; did not last long. 

6th. Order of day at present: Reveille, 6 A. M. ; breakfast, 6.30; sick 
call, 7; guard mount, 9; company drill, 10 to 12; dinner; regimental drill, 
2 to 4 P. M. ; dress parade at 5.30; supper, 6; tattoo at 8.30, and taps at 
9 P. M. 

"lb. Company G on fatigue duty. 

8th. Drill and dress parade. 

9th. Police duty. 

loth. Grand review near Stafford Court House by President Abraham 
Lincoln, Generals Hooker and Sickels. A big day, marched 14 miles. 

nth. Unusual heavy firing in front, brought whole division into line. 

I2th. Quite a number of delinquents returned to camp at this time as 
a result of President Linicoln's proclamation. No. 150. 

13th. General inspection of guns, accoutrements and clothing of 
regiment. 

[Note — In the darkest days of the Rebelhon, the loyal hearts 
of the North believed that Providence would eventually bring 
victory to our cause, and as an instauce of that belief, the historian 
has copied the following letter of Jos. Ad. Thompson, as pub- 
lished in the Dehnvarc County American. April 15th, 1863:] , 

Washington, D. C, April 13, 1863. 
D. A. Vernon : 

f^ccir Sir: T was pleased to read that letter in your last issue from 
Ralph Buckley, of the 124th P. V. I know he will pardon me for giving 

183 



liis Christian nairic instead of his title, for I very weh rcnieml)er the day 
when the regiment landed at Washington, when coats were new and 
buttons bright, and when shoulder straps glittered in unsoilcd lustre, that 
he wore a duster closely buttoned to the chin, lest someone should know he 
was an officer. It was one of those very remarkable instances of an officer 
hiding instead of parading into notice his straps, and so I say he will 
excuse me for my seeming want of etiquette. That letter of his is a noble 
one, and shows the nobility of him that wrote it. It is chock full of whole- 
some truths, and the\ fell upon me as I read it like heavenly dew. How 
It made loyal hearts thrill. How it silences the croaking of those at home 
who have endeavored to spread the idea that the army is demoralized and 
desponding. With such men in the field there is no danger. Victory will 
perch upon our banners as sure as there is a God in Heaven. 

That letter echoes the ring of the army. After months of purgation, 
durmg which resignations and dismissals have been very numerous, we 
have once again a loyal army, which, under the guidance of Hooker, that 
man of steel and devotedness to his country, will ere long show by its 
work its efficiency. I know there has never been an hour since the flag 
fell at Sumpter when our army has been such a unit as now. I know that 
there never has been such concert of action between the different com- 
ponent parts of the army as now. I know that there never has been as good 
discipline in the army as now, and it is not only false, but wickedly so, 
for any man to endeavor to prove the contrary. 

The ruin that was predicted would follow the President's proclamation 
has not appeared, but, on the contrary, our army has increased in numbers, 
our commanders in zeal and our desponding troops have been buoyed up 
into glorious hope and grateful activity. Nay, more than this, our credit 
has increased, and the loan that croaking malcontents said would go beg- 
ging at great sacrifice, is being taken as rapidly as press and pen can supply 
the bonds. Does any man suppose that cur resources are being exhausted ? 
They are not yet developed. Does anyone suppose that our present debt 
is onerous? Why it does not yet amount to our voluntary tax for luxuries. 
The work is going on and on to success, and woe to him who does not aid 
it. He may oppose it now, but there is a tide gathering, and as sure as it 
exists it will overwhelm him. I see the hand of God in this work. I 
can trace His providence in it throughout the whole period, and I believe 
that in His own good time He will crown the result with a great victory, 
and a great charter of liberty. 

Let us hope and pray, and believe. Let us aid and exalt those who are 
the actors, so that whatever stain may be upon our banner, WE may be 
able to say that W^E did not assist to place it there. 

The attack on Charleston has commenced. In that let us not be impa- 
tient. The work has been well planned, and will be well finished. But 
we must not expect victory in an hour. That attack is one of the greatest 
and grandest moves ever made upon a military chess board. The world 
never saw so great a miliary undertaking. Charleston and its approaches 
have been fortified with all the aid of the highest military skill, and from 
the ocean to the rear of the city is one vast continuation of giant obstacles. 

184 



On the other hand, wo are approaching it with the most formidable engines 
of destruction ever constructed. Sebastapol was a tower of strength and 
kept the combined forces of England and France for seven months at bay. 
Yet It fell. Monitors may sink, and batteries be silenced, vet patience for 
CHARLESTON WILL FALL. 

The report of the committee on the conduct of the war is being pub- 
lished. It is merely a collection of all the official facts and I hope" every 
one will read it. After having done so, I trust that we shall all better 
appreciate tlie course of the Administration, in the many changes made in 
the army, — often without an apparent reason. 

It teaches us the lesson that henceforth we must cease worshiping men, 
and stand upon principles, for by so doing we have misvalued the former 
and forgotten the latter. 

Yours truly, 

"Steele Penne." 

DIARY RESUMED. 
April. 

14th. Received marching orders; eight days' rations; five in knapsack 
and three in haversack. Extra clothing to be deposited in catnp. 

15th. Raining, no march. 

T6th. Cloudy and threatening; waiting. 

17th. Cloudy; looks like more rain. Received four months' pay. Com- 
pany drill. 

iSth. Sutler's supplies in ])ig demand. Waiting. 

19th. Sunday— Brigade commissary inspection and finds five days' 
rations in knap.sacks ; crackers, coffee, sugar and salt pork. Divine service 
and dress parade. 

20th. Regiment still up with the eight day rations. :\Iore rain. 

21 St. Slight rain. Regimental drills in afternoon. 

22d. Regiment engages in target practice. All sick and halt removed 
from camp to Washington. 

23d. Raining all day. 

24th Rairj ; clearer in afternoon. 

25th. Target practice 

26th. Sunday— Inspection of arms in morning. Divine service P. M. 
Orders to march at daylight. 

27th. On the move, passed through Stafford Court House, crossed 
Potomac Creek, and camped after i6-niile march, 

28th. Resumed march at 3 A. M. ; passed Hartwood Church; Groves 
Church and Crittenden's Mill and halted for night after 21-mile march. 

29th. Resumed march at 4 A. M. ; showery; passed Mt. Ht)llv Church, 
crossed Rappahannock River at Kelly's Ford, and at 10 o'clock at night 
crossed the Rapidan ; bridge destroyed, all of corps crossed and camped at 
midnight. Made 14 miles. Picked up a number of stray Rebs. 

.Wh. Showery; under way again at dawn; batteries disputed our 
advance, but driven ofif. Skirmishing: 12 miles to-day. On picket at night. 
Enemy in front. 

185 



May. 

1st. Chancellorsville battle opens. Quiet in morning. At noon our 
regiment advanced and skirmished for two miles. We disclose enemy in 
force and fall back to our part of morning battle line. We entrench; ball 
opens; we occupy right center; right is vigorously attacked. 

_'d. We hold our position all night and to-day, and spend more time 
in intrenching. Battle rages fiercely and lasts all night. Seigel's Corps 
breaks and dashes through our lines ; the Johnnies follow, but are held at 
bay with 36 pieces of artillery ; great slaughter. 

3d. We hold our ground ; fighting more on our right ; skirmishing. 

4th. Part of our line broken ; 124th and 125th Pennsylvania ordered to 
left. Captain John P. Green, of General Kane's staff, made a narrow 
escape ; a shell took the shoulder strap from his right shoulder and turned 
him in his saddle ; otherwise doing no harm. 

5th. After various manoevring we are put to work rearing more solid 
intrenchments in rear of old ground^enemy in sight. Heavy rain. We 
retreat at night. 

6th. At dawn we recross Rappahannock River at United States Ford, 
and march in direction of old camp — 12 miles. Wind and snow squalls. 
Cold, and we lost all our blankets on first day of fight. 

/th. After a march to-day of 16 miles we arrive back in our old camp 
at Acquia Creek. 

8th. Recuperating. Whiskey ration served for second time since enlist- 
ment. 

9th. Our time is up, this date, and we are preparing for discharge. 
While at Acquia Creek we had an occasional purchase of shad and feasted 
accordingly. 

[NoTE^ — On this latter date when the term of service of the 
124th expired, and the men were patiently waiting orders to 
return home, a letter was written bv Jos. Ad. Thompson to the 
Dclazvarc County Anierican and published therein. May 13, 1863. 
The following is a copy :] 

Washington, D. C, May 9, 1863. 
D. A. Vernon : 

Dear Sir: The past week has been big with events. Once more the 
contending armies have met in the shock of battle, and once more a 
Nation's hopes and fears hung upon the forthcoming intelligence. You 
have all felt it. How still everything was. The newspapers paraded their 
flaming capitals, but gave no news. Even the telegraph refused to give its 
news staccato, and all waited for a gleam of intelligence. It was known 
that Hooker had engaged the enemy, and that success followed him. It 
was known that three days fighting (up to Sunday) had been done, and 
that the great battle was not yet decided. Then came the break. There 
was no news to be relied upon. Rumor took the place of fact, and from 
her ten thousand tongues told the most astonishing stories of alternate 

186 



victory and defeat, wliich, thougli we did not believe, controlled us as much 
as though they were official dispatches. At one time Lee had surren- 
dered. At another Hooker was cut to pieces. One hour our men were 
pursuing the Rebels toward their capital, and on the next our Hying men 
were drowning in the Rappahannock. Victory and defeat were in either 
balance, and rumor kept them nicely poised. Occasionally a courier from 
below would arrive, who generally knew less than those situated at a 
distance from the scene of action, around whom the inquisitive crowd 
would gather, and from whom in very many instances they would receive 
stories more wonderful than that of the "Wonderful Lamp." But amidst 
it all we were in good spirits and the promised news of a glorious victory 
was eagerly hoped and looked for. So things stood on Tuesday night. 

On Wednesday morning we learned that the flooded streams were at 
a great height; that they had destroyed the railroad communication 
between Acquia Landing and Fredericksburg, and that the Rappahannock 
would soon be impassable. Then for the first time we began to despond, 
:ind It was known that there was but one day's rations with our men, but 
still we hoped that Sedgwick would do as well as Hooker— fight his way 
around and form a junction, and then by hurling our concentrated forces 
upon our exhausted enemy, crush him ere hunger drove us from a field 
that military science had failed to do. It was evident that this must be 
done in order to ensure safety to our army, since not only the high waters, 
but our wary foe both threatened our communication this side of the 
river. Everyone saw the crisis, and with the most painful anxiety awaited 
the result. Meanwhile the President and General Halleck had gone to the 
army, and this looked ominous. Then came the news. Our anticipated 
fears had been realized. Hooker had zvithdrazvn his men across the river; 
Sedgwick had been defeated in his efforts to form a junction, and was 
driven back. The onward movement had culminated in a retreat, and our 
bright pictures of victory were destroyed in an instant. Such appeared to 
be the state of affairs at that period. The fact has become known to all 
our people, and whilst speculation is rife, and whilst everyone is com- 
menting upon it, let us stop and look at the facts as they are, before we are 
too lavish with our praise or our censure. 

That we whipped the Rebels there is no doubt, as not only our reports, 
but those of the enemy show that they failed to do whatever they 
attempted, and also that their loss is at least double our own. Whether 
we obtained what we desired is now the mooted question. The points to 
be adjudged are, I think, as follows: 

First — Did Hooker cross at the proper time and place? 

Second— Did he contemplate reaching Richmond by that route? 

Third— Was he compelled to recross the Rappahannock because of a 
superior enemy; or, in other words, was he driven back to his original 
position? 

Without pretending to possess any military knowledge, or without 
claiming any wisdom whereby to criticise the acts of our military men, 
I thmk that I have, from the close attention to the recent movement, as 
well from conversations with several military men of reputation, some 

187 



means of forming a correct conclusion. Facts are facts, and where tliev 
are simple (as facts generally are) it does not necessarily need a military 
education to ctJUiprehend them. 

In answer to the first pomt, T think he made his crossing at the proper 
time and place. That the places were proper ones is evident from the 
fact of having no difficulty in getting over with safety and celerity, and 
that the time was also a good one is patent from the fact that he evidently 
did so in such a way as to make his visit almost a surprise. There were 
strong inducements to go at that time. His army was larger than it 
would be ten days hence, as before that time elapsed the nine months' 
men would mostly be out of service. He had no doubt concluded that the 
spring floods were over, since spring and sunshine had set in so beautifully, 
and this was a matter of great consideration when he had to throw a 
river between him and his supplies. I say he no doubt thought of this and 
acted accordingly. True, Sedgwick did not perform the duty assigned to 
him, and thereby jeopardized our main body, but every intelligent reader 
knows that the cause w^as an entirely different one. T/msc iiicii d'-d not 
have a General Hooker to lead them. 

As regards the second point — I do not think that Hooker contemplated 
reaching Richmond by that route exclusively. Indeed I feel sure of this. 
On the contrary I think he did not desire to do so just at this present time, 
as there were other matters in connection with this movement, as impor- 
tant as his own. If he had, why did he refuse to occupy the elevated 
position in the enemy's rear, when he could have done so, and instead of 
that. Hank the river, thus leaving a broad belt of thirty miles through 
which there was no opportunity' for Lee's retreat, provided it was a 
hasty one. In other words, Lee had the opportunity to fall back towards 
Richmond provided he did not encumiier himself, and left bis heavy artil- 
lery in our hands. If this were dou"^, Hooker on one flank and Sedgwick 
on the other, could concentrate and fall upon his rear. For this event 
Stoneman bad been sent, and having broken the railroad communication, 
destroyed the bridges and telegraph, and penetrated with his men almost 
the city of Richmond, that retreat would be very slow, and, as ei'ents 7i'ill 
prove it would eventually cause the Rebels to be attacked both front and 
rear, and at the same time cut ofT all supplies and reinforcements. Had 
Hooker thrown himself between them and their capital, it w<nild have 
placed us in that position instead of the enemy. I say, therefore, that such 
a move was not intended. 

That he was compelled to recross to this side of the river I do not 
believe, partly because of reasons just given, as well as others, some of 
which I will state. Had he intended to reach Richmond by that route, is 
it not likely he would have had transportation and every facility for sup- 
plying his men? Hut he had none. Had he intended to push the enemy to 
a retreat, was he not in a better condition to do so after Sunday's battle 
than before, both because of position, as well as of his victory? Had that 
been his object, would he not have concentrated his fresh troops, of which 
he had 30,000, and made the dash on Sunday afternoon, when he pushed 
the enemy with a moiety of his army? I think so. It is evident then 

188 



thai the enemy did not pusli him to the river, because if they had his re- 
crossing would have not been unmolested. Neither do I believe that it 
was because of the rise of the river, for it would have been much less 
trouble to have taken provisions and ammunition over to the army than 
to bring the army over after them. Recent developments sustain this 
view, and others which may be known ere this is in print will make it 
more clear. My impression is this: that Hooker's withdrawal to this side 
of the river was not because he was compelled to do so, either because of 
the enemy or high water, but to accomplish an object, which was a 
part of his original plan, and that we ■:hall soon see upon this very move- 
ment depended our success in destroying Lee's army and capturing Rich- 
mond. Stoneman had been sent in that direction, and we had just heard 
of the great work he had performed, and the information he had gained 
that RicIi>mo)id ivas almost destitute of troops. He had joined Dix, and 
apprised our forces in that vicinity. He had opened the desired communi- 
cation. The propitious moment had arrived. Longstreet was with Lee, 
and the door was open to the Rebel capital for our forces below. What 
was to be done? Why Lee must be kept busy and our men rested. They 
must not go toivards Richmond. Accordingly Hooker apparently retreats — 
the enemy presses nearer to him — he crosses the stream — and they are 
employed for three days in the solemn work after battle of caring for the 
wounded and burying the dead. All this is precious time for us, and the 
people soon will see how we used it. Again Hooker throws men across 
and threatens another battle, thus holding the Rebels where they are. If 
they retreat Stoneman has impeded their progress and Hooker is on 
their rear. If they remain, Richmond falls. More than this, if Lee 
retreats, our army from below can threaten him on his front, at the same 
time that Hooker pursues, and we obtain the double prize ; the capital and 
the enemy's army. Perhaps you may think this a wild theory, but let us 
wait and see. For my part I believe it all. Victorious armies do not 
retreat but for a purpose. I have dwelt so long on this matter that I have 
room for but little else. I presume ere long the 124th Regiment will be 
home and disbanded. The boys did well in the recent engagement, and 
deserve, as they will no doubt receive, a glorious welcome. The casualties 
in the regiment were light, and those wounded not seriously so. I found 
William T. Innes and Philip Johnson in the Judiciary Hospital, wounded 
in the arm slightly. They bear their scars like soldiers which they are,' 
every inch of them. Major Haldeman's wound was also very slight. 

They all agree that "Fighting Joe" deserves that cognomen. The regi- 
ment is now at Acquia Creek. Yesterday Mr. Thomas J. Haldeman and 
John C. Beatty went down to see them. When the boys come home, in the 
vvords of Cov.'per in the John Gilpin tale, "may I be there to see." 

"Steele Penne.'' 

DIARY RESUMED. 
May. 

loth. Division review by Generals Slocum and Geary. The men of regi^ 
ment highly complimented for good conduct while on the march and in 
the field. 

189 



iith. Proccfded up llie Potomac by boat to Washington, and from 
thence by usual freight cars to Harrisburg, Pa., for muster out. 
I2th. Arrived at Harrisburg, Pa., and marched to Camp Curtin. 
13th. Waiting for discharge. 

[Note by Historian — While the member.s of the regiment 
were awaiting discharge, their friends at home were arranging to 
give them a soldier's welcome. The following extract is copied 
from the Delaware County America)! of May 13th, 1862:] 

At a meeting of the friends of the 124th Regiment, P. V., on last 
Thursday evening, Hon. John M. Broomall was called to the chair, and 
after an interchange of sentiment, Messrs. F. M. Brooke, D. R. Hawkins, 
D. A. Vernon, John M. Hall, C. R. Williamson, Peter Worrell and John C. 
Beatty were appointed a conmiittee to arrange and conduct an appropriate 
reception for our returned volunteers. 

DIARY RESUMED. 

14th, 15th, i6th. Making up papers. 

17th. Mustered out. 

i8th. Home, at Schuylkill Haven, Pa. 

Re-enlisted in Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, June, 
186.3 ; served as Orderly Sergeant Co. I, in Gettysburg Emergency 
campaign. 

April 28th, 1864; appeared before General Silas Casey's Examining 
Board at Washington, D. C, passed Second Lieutenant, and on August 
9th, 1S64, was assigned to Twenty-ninth U. S. C. T., but did not get into 
active service. 




100 



The proclamation of 
Andrew G. Cnrtin, under 
which the second enUst- 
ment was made, was issued 
a few days prior to the Bat- 
tle of Gettysburg-, and is 
as foUows : 

The enemy is advancing in 
force into Pennsylvania. He 
has a strong cohnnn within 
J3 miles of Harrishurg. and 
other columns are moving by 
Fulton and Adams counties, 
and it can no longer be 
doubted that a formidable 
invasion of our State is in 
actual progress. 

The calls already made for 
volunteer militia for the emer- 
gency, have not been met as 
fully as the crisis recjuires. 

I. therefore, now issue this, 
my proclamation calling for 
6o,coo men to come promptly 
forward to defend the State. 
They will be mustered into the service of the State for the period of ninety 
days, but will be required only to serve out so much of the period of 
muster as the safety of our people and honor of our State may require. 
They will be rendezvoused at points to be designated in genera! order to 
be issued this day by the Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania, which order 
will also set forth the details of the arrangements for the organization, 
clothing, residence, equipment, and supplies. 

I will not insult you by inflanmiatory appeals. A people who want the 
heart to defend their soil, their families and firesides, are not worth}- to 
be accounted men. Heed not the councils of evil disposed persons, if 
such there be in your midst. Show yourselves what you are — a free, loyal, 
spirited, brave, vigorous race. Do not undergo the disgrace of leaving 
your defense mainly to the citizens of other States. 

In defending the soil of Pennsylvania we are contributing to the support 
of our National Government and vindicating our fidelity to the National 
cause. Pennsylvania has always heretofore responded promptly to all the 
calls made by the Federal Government, and I appeal to you now not to 
be unmindful that the foe that strikes at our State, strikes, through our 
desolation, at the life of the Republic. 

Our people are plundered and driven from their homes solel\- because 
of their lovaltv and fidelitv to our free institutit)ns. 




ANDREW G. CUKTIN. 



191 



People of Pennsylvania, I owe to you all my faculties, my lalxjrs, my 
life. You owe to your country your zealous services and efforts. The 
time has now come when we must all stand or fall together in the defense 
of our State and in the support of our Government. Let us so discharge 
our duty that posterity shall not blush for us. 

Come heartily and cheerfully to the rescue of our noble Commonwealth. 
Maintain your honor and freedom. 

Given under my hand and the great seal of the State at Harrisburg, 
this, the 26th day of June, the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and sixty-three, and of the Commonwealth the eighty-seventh. 

A. G. CURTIN. 
By the Governor, 
Eli Slifer, 

Secretary of the Conunonn'calth. 

The following, copied from the Delaware County American, of 
July 1st, 1863, refers to the re-enlistment of the 124th : — 

The news — GREAT EXCITEMENT. — The excitement again runs high. 
This time it is not from our armies advancing on the enemy, but from 
theirs threatening the State of Pennsylvania, which they have already 
invaded, and marching in triumph northward. The proclamations of the 
President and Governor Curtin, urgently calling for the people to rise up 
and defend their homes, and drive back the foe, warn us of the imminent 
danger of the moment. Let every man gird himself for the contest. Let 
every patriot shoulder his gun and buckle on his sword. Let the minions 
of slavery be "welcomed with bloody hands to hospitable graves.'' The 
forward movements of the enemy were commenced on Sunday, on which 
day they first attacked some of our detached forces near Winchester, to 
which place they fell back, and where, after a bloody contest, after having 
become partially surrounded by the superior numbers of the enemy, they 
succeeded in cutting their way through, and joining the garrison at 
Harper's Ferry. Whatever is done by our people will have to be done 
promptly. Already the tocsin of war is sounded, and tens of thousands 
are rushing to grapple at the throats of the enemy. Delaware County is 
alive to the crisis, and is moving as a single man to strike down the 
invaders of the soil of our State. The 124th Regiment will reorganize at 
once. A meeting of the Delaware County miembers will take place at the 
court house to-day. Others are invited to join them. Colonel Wiicrx 
has also promptly called a meeting of the commissioned officers of the 
i6th Pennsylvania Militia. They will meet at the court house on Thurs- 
day (to-morrow). A full regiment, beside the 124th, will doubtless go 
from this county. 

General Hooker is on the move. He is in the best of spirits, and is con- 
fident of crushing Lee's Army. 

The latest intelligence from Vicksburg is that the lines of General Grant 
were daily contracting around the enemy. 

192 



The lieadquarters of Major-General Couch are for the present at the 
State Capitol Building, in Harrisbnrg. All interested in the organization 
of troops under the late call should report to him. 

The reported death of General Sherman, from wounds received in the 
desperate assault upon Port Hudson, has been contradicted. 

We notice, by a Washington despatch, that it has been determined that 
while all persons coming within the provisions of the act of enrollment, 
m calling out the National forces, are to be enrolled, nevertheless, under 
the first enrollment, those who were in the military service at the time the 
act went into effect, namely, the 3d of March, last, are not to be included 
in that class which is subject to the first draft. Those of the second class 
are not to be called out until those of the first class shall have been 
exhausted. 

[Note: — Joseph Ad. Thompson (who had been correspondent 
for the 124th while in service) remained in Washington, and 
shortly after the regiment was mustered out he wrote the follow- 
ing letter to the Delazvarc County American, which was published 
in that paper June 3, 1863 •] 

Washington, D. C, June i, 1863. 
D. A. Vernon. 

Dear Sir— The war news for the past week has been very exciting, 
indeed. The indomitable Grant has been operating, in conjunction with 
Commodore Porter, against Vicksburg, with what success your readers 
have been already informed. The place is one of great importance both 
to the Rebels and ourselves, and the furious fighting there shows how 
anxious each is to become possessor of the place. With it in Rebel hands, 
the navigation of the Mississippi is retarded, and the great Northwest is 
prevented from communication with the ocean. With it in our hands, 
that noble river becomes an open highway, and the Rebel States are com- 
pletely disjointed. Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas become separated 
from the rest of the belligerent States, and must then soon return to the 
Union. 'Tis no wonder, then, that there should be a desperate fight for 
the place. So far, the attack has been eminently successful, as the great 
number of prisoners and artillery captured attest, and we have only to 
wait for a short time for the glorious news that the place is captured, and 
the foe prisoners of war. 

Although we have suffered reverses, and had whole armies wasted 
through the "masterly inactivity" of our generals, although more than 
two years have elapsed since this rebellion burst upon us, and is as yet 
unconquered, although during that period we have spent hundreds of 
millions of money, and lost tens of thousands of noble men, yet, if we 
carefully and dispassionately review that period, and properly estimate 
our labor and its results, we shall find every inducement to hope for the 
future, and every reason to be content with the present. The results of 
battle are not immediate, not really understood, and it very often happens 
that a seeming defeat bears the fruit of a great victory. It is wrong to 

13 193 



estimate the result by counting the slain and the prisoners, or by obtaining 
possession of the l)attlefield. We should look at the combination of results 
that follow, and form our opinion upon those. One fact alone we do not 
properly appreciate. If'e arc fighting the battles in the enemy's eountry. 
While throughout the North agricultural, mercantile, and manufacturing 
pursuits still go on as prosperous as ever, while the sickle and the loom 
still gather and prepare for us almost unbounded comfort, while our homes 
are secure from the pillage of war, and we provide not only for our own 
comfort, but also for others, let us turn the picture, and look at the condi- 
tion of the rebel South. Take Virginia for an instance. Look at that 
grand harlot of the States, made by nature as rich and as great as any 
of her sisters. Behold there the desolation wrought by the contending 
armies — her fertile fields blasted, her noble waters, that once bore away 
her surplus stores, now a chain to bind them fast from the world, her 
industries paralyzed, her commerce destroyed, and her citizens, in many 
cases, fugitives from, their homes. How many who were wealthy are now 
poor? How many who were happy are now miserable? And how many 
who, in the mad hour of their frenzy, struck at our Flag, now await its 
coming again with as much anxiety as the condemned felon awaits the 
promised pardon that shall strike ofif his fetters and unlock his prison door. 
How many mothers have taken in their arms their little ones and fled to 
the cave or the forest, where, careworn, hungry and despairing, they have 
awaited for a propitious moment when they could flee to our lines. And 
to-day. after two years of war, we behold the North, as peaceful, as 
flourishing, and with better credit than ever before, while the South is 
barren and blood-stained, without sufficient resources and without credit. 
So I say that when we look upon both pictures, we have little cause for 
regrets, and many for gratitude. We are doing the great work of crushing 
out this damnable rebellion, slowly, perhaps, in the estimation of some, 
but well, and we can already see the "beginning of the end." We are the 
only nation that could do such a gigantic work, and when we shall have 
accomplished it, we shall be greater than before. The nations of the earth 
have already become acquainted with our greatness and our power, and 
when we come out of this war, it will not be with ruined credit, embar- 
rassed finances, or injured National reputation, but we shall be the first 
amongst the great nations of the earth. We no longer tremble for fear 
of foreign influence, of which we had such fears some time since, for in 
this great struggle we have become acquainted with ourselves, and know 
our own great power. 

It has seldom, or never, happened that a nation has been at war for a 
period of two years without a foreign power interfering, and the reason 
why this has been an exception is not because other governments love 
us, but because they fear our gigantic power. I give them no credit for 
their forbearance, for they have done secretly what they dared not do 
openly. Great as we have been in feeding the nations and abundantly as 
we have supplied distant climes with the necessities of life, we are yet 
greater when we rise to protect the institutions under which we have 
prospered. 

194 



You may realize the fact that the City of Washington has undergone a 
change in pubHc sentiment since the commencement of the war when 1 
tell you that Mrs. Harriett Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," drama- 
tized, has been, and is still being, performed in one of our theatres, and 
to overflowing houses. When we consider that it is about a year since 
slavery was abolished here, and that for years a petition could not be read 
in Congress asking for it, and that now in the same city this piece, showing 
the immorality and inhumanity of slavery, is creating a sensation, it is, to 
say the least, "passing strange." When I first came here and beheld my 
surroundings, I did not dare to think that in so short a time men and 
women would gather in a public house to kindle with indignation at the 
story of George Harris, to laugh at the eccentricities of Topsy, and to 
weep over the beautiful, precocious Eva and pious Uncle Tom. As the 
honest Dutchman said, "So much longer a man lives, so much more he 
finds out." 

Many of our wounded are being .sent to their respective States now, and 
it is cheering to see how joyful they are, although crippled, to get back 
to their homes. Yet there are hundreds who must remain for a long time 
yet ere they can hear that joyous order. 

Considerable anxiety has been felt of late for the safety of the city, as 
since Hooker's Army has been reduced by the expiration of service of so 
many regiments, it was feared that Lee would take advantage of his 
weakness and put himself on the offensive. I do not think that there is 
any danger of this, as I have good reason to know that our army is quite 
as large in that locality as it was prior to the return of the nine months' 
men. 

I am glad to observe that in all parts of the State the people are begin- 
ning to see that we must renominate Governor Curtin, and that upon his 
renomination in a great measure depends our chance of success. Keep 
the ball rolling; hold up the hands of that great patriot, and give him 
the guidance of the Ship of State for another term. Because he does not 
solicit it is no reason why he should not have it, but, on the contrary, it 
shows that his modesty is only exceeded by his efficiency. The idea of 
sending such a man abroad is wrong. In these times we need them at 
home. 

Yours truly, 

Steele Penne. 



193 




1 862. 



JOSEPH WILLIAMSON HAWLEY. 

Son of Joel and Catherine B. 
(Williamson) Hawley, was born at 
Lionville, Chester County, July 14, 
1836. 

His early life was passed at school 
and in the country store owned by 
his father. From 1857 to i860 was 
instructor in West Chester Academy. 
In 1860, he received appointment as 
paying teller in National Bank of 
Chester County, and remained there 
until the call for troops was made by 
President Lincoln in summer of 
1862 ; wdien he obtained permission 
from the Board of Directors to re- 
cruit a company of soldiers. In ten days he had enlisted 100 
men. They met at Downingtown and organized by electing Mr. 
Hawley as captain. The company proceeded to Camp Curtin at 
Harrisburg, and Captain Hawley received his commission August 
12. 1862, from Governor Andrew G. Curtin. 

While there, six other companies from Chester County and 
three from Delaware County arrived and the ten were combined 
and formed the 124th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to serve 
for nine months. The regiment under command of Captain Haw- 
ley was transported to Washington, and on i6th of August, he 
received from Governor Curtin, a commission as colonel. 

On September 17th he led the regiment into the Battle of 
Antietam, where by 9 o'clock in the morning, it was under a heavy 
fire in what is now spoken of as the "Bloody Cornfield ;" the 
regiment lost many killed and wounded ; among the latter was 
Colonel Hawley, who received a bullet in the neck. He was car- 
ried from the field and finally removed to his home in Lionville. 
Upon recovery, he rejoined the regiment at Harper's Ferry. De- 
cember 3d, and continued with it (except for a short interval 
while in hospital) until the expiration of term of service May 
17, 1863. 

Returning to his duties with the Bank of Chester Countv he 
remained but one day when Governor Curtin telegraphed him 
to get the members of the 124th together and proceed to Harris- 

196 



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1906. 



Colonel Joseph Jl\ Hawlcy. 

burg to assist in repelling an invasion which General Lee was 
projecting northward. Colonel Hawley sent couriers to summon 
the members of his old regiment, and a majority of them responded 
so promptly that, together with new recruits, one thousand were 
enrolled in one day in Chester and Delaware Counties and for- 
warded to Harrisburg the same evening. These were organized 
as the Twenty-ninth Emergency Regiment and on June 19th, 
Colonel Hawley was again commissioned colonel. He was as- 
signed to the command of a brigade consisting of his own and 
two New York regiments, and to him General Couch committed 
the protection of the bridges of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which 
were threatened with destruction. 

Upon retreat of the defeated Confederate forces from Gettys- 
burg, Colonel Hawley was ordered to follow and harass the rear 
of Lee's Army, and he moved with such celerity that he reached 
the Potomac the day prior to Lee's crossing and his troops engaged 
with them in a skirmish at Clear Spring. The emergency having 
passed, he returned home and resumed the duties of his old 
position in the bank and remained there until January i, 1864, 
when he accepted a similar position with the First National P>ank 
of West Chester, then just organized. 

On February ist, he was invited to assist in the organization of 
the First National Bank of Media, and on ^ larch 21, 1864. the 
bank was opened with Colonel Hawley as cashier, which position 
he held until the death of its president in 1894. when he was 
elected to fill that vacancy. This position he held until his resig- 
nation was accepted in December, 1906. 

In addition to the office of bank president, he served as director 
in various other institutions. One of his favorite fields of use- 
fulness is the "Glen Mills Reform School" in Delaware Countv. 
In this institution he has for many years been an active director in 
its management and one of its most liberal and zealous patrons. 

He is a member of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Loyal 
Legion, a past commander of Bradbury Post G. A. R. of Media, 
and a member of the Union League of Philadelphia. 

From the time of the organization of the Regimental Asso- 
ciation of the 124th, he has been its honored president and has 
attended each annual reunion except that of 1906. 

199 



REMINISCENC]<: OF COL. JOS. W. II.WVUEY. 

Meui.\, V.\., :\\}v\\ 1, li;07. 

Mr. Rol.cn M. C.vwn: 

My I >f(ir Cdiiiriidr: ^'t)U ask nic if 1 liavc any data conccTiiiiit; tlie 
Twcnty-nimh I'onnsylvaiiia Hnicrgcncy Rc^inu'iii, whicli was conipi.scd 
largely oi tlic mcnihcrs of the l2-|lh Reginunt, whose lernis of sirviee had 
expired. 

1 am unable lu hjcale the regimental hl)llk^ (if the Twenty-nmth, as the 
adjnlant is deceased, hut I will give you from memory a short sketch. 

Soon after returning home from service with the i_'4ili I resumed 
duties in the Piank of Chester County in West Chester, where I had been 
employed for several years — this was en a Monday morning, and on the 
next day between the hours of g and lO A. M. Mr. William Darlington, a 
director of the bank, came to my desk and said to me, "You go over to 
the court house; you can do more good there than here, and 1 will occupy 
your place." Ceneral Lee was then on his way north for the second time, 
and ti'.e excitement was intense. 1 went to the meeting, and a telegram 
from Governor Curlin was handed me, requesting that 1 get together as 
many of the 124th as could be reached and i)roceed with them at the earliest 
possible moment to llarrisl)urg. By telegrapliing and sending couriers 
through Chester and Delaware Counties, a sutlicient number of the i_'4th 
were secured to form the nucleus of a regiment, and these were so rap- 
idly joined by new recruits that almost a full regiment was seciu-ed, and 
at J. 30 oi the same afternoon we started on a special train for 1 larrisbtn-g, 
arriving there in time to go into camp at Camp Curtin that night. The 
(lay following Major llaldeman came to llarrisburg with another regiment 
from Delaware County. The proposition as understood l)y the recruits 
was that the term of service would be for the "Emergency," but tiiat term 
was so uncertain as to duration that much objection to enlisting was 
manifested, the men claiming that it might last until the war was over. 
vSeveral days elapsed, the Governor coming to camp and using every argu- 
menl in his power to have the enlistment made, but without success. Find- 
ing that the 124th members were becoming tired of waiting 1 went to the 
Governor and stated that 1 had about 500 of those who had served in the 
I24lh Regiment who were willing to enlist for the emergency as they 
understood it, and if we could be of any use to him we would be ready to 
march at 4 o'clock that afternoon. His answer was, "For God's sake get 
those men out of camp," and he issued the order and I returned to camp, 
reported the result of my visit, and there was much confusion among 
those who were in camp, not of the 124th; many of those who had expected 
to be officers, accepted positions of lower rank or joined as privates, so that 
when the time came to take the train we had a full regiment, and were 
sent to Mount Union to be scattered along the I'ennsylvania Railroad to 
prevent the destruction of the high bridges liy the raiding Rebel cavalry. 

A day or two afterward General Couch sent me the 74th and the iJ.^d 
Regiments of New York INlilitia, he no doubt realizing the necessity of 
holding the positions to which we had been assigned. We remained tlu're 
until the last day of the battle of Gettysburg. When General Lee started 
on his retreat 1 was ordered to leave sufficient force at Mt. Union to jiro- 
tect that high bridge against any roving band of cavalry and to take the 
rest of my force and start after General Lee and harrass the rear of his 
army. We overtook his rear guard at Clear Spring, and they formed in 
line, for the i)uri)()se, as we supposed, of making an attack on us. but they 

200 



Rcininiscciicc of Col. Jos. //'. Ilaivley. 

evidently tlii)ii<)ht. we were an advance party of sonic larger force, and 
they mounted llieir horses and wilhch'ew. 

On our arrival at ISurnt Cabins the only information we could obtain 
was that we were surrounded by General Imboden's Cavalry, and would 
most likely be gathered up before morning. A very funny thing happened 
during the night. All of our men had the same information that the 
officers had, and projjably the same fears. 1 took the precaution to protect 
our camp for the night by ordering two liickel lines, one to be one-half mile 
and the other one mile outside; these were in addition to three reliefs of 
two men each for guard duty at the camp. When the first relief on camp 
guard had served their allotted time, instead of returning to their quarters, 
laid down near where they had been stationed, the two who relieved them 
knew they were there, but when the third relief went on duty, they were 
not aware that the first relief was so near them, and when one of them 
turned over in his sleep, the one on duly thought it was one of the enemy, 
and he ran hastily to where 1 was sleeping and told me that the Rebels were 
crawling in on us. 1 asked him whether there had been a shot fired by 
the outer pickets, and he said there had not been, then 1 told him there 
was not a Rebel within a mile of him, .md 1 sent the officer of the guard to 
ascertain wdiat had ^.o badly scared him. Fortunately we were not dis- 
turbed, and the following day continued our journey, reaching the Potomac 
the day before (V'neral Lee crossed and at a point but a few miles from his 
main army. Had his men known how few we were it is likely that we 
would have had a free passage to Richmond. Shortly after that we re- 
turned to Loudon, and while there Colonel Mulligan passed by with an army 
corps, and seeing our small force there alone, he asked who was the com- 
manding officer, and when informed, it is rejjorted he said that the com- 
manding officer either was a d — n fool or had more courage than he had, 
for he had been lying back at Hancock with a whole army corps and did 
not consider it safe to venture over the mountain. The emergency for which 
we had enlisted having passed, we were ordered back to llarrisburg and 
discharged August ist. 

I remain yours fraternally, 

Jos. W. H.\wi.i;v. 



REMIXISCluXCE FROM THE '-MEDIA AMERICAN." 

The following article by the editor of the Media American, relates to 
the Twenty-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, during the 
Gettysbm-g campaign of 1863. This regiment was largely cornposed of 
the former nu-mbers of tlie iJ4th: 

From a long and wearisome march, greatly fatigued and foot-sore, we 
have arrived at home, JKirely in time to give a few words of the where- 
abouts of Colonel Hawley's command, and of what it has been doing 
since leaving Loudon, on the 8th in-^t., from which point, as also from 
Mount L^nion, letters will be found in the Ai)icrican. From Loudon we 
proceeded via Mercer.sbnrg, lately occupied by the Rebels, where we en- 
camped for a single night, within three miles of a village in ^Maryland, on 
the Williamsport pike, called "Clear Spring." At this place we halted 
for a day for further orders, as it was ascertained that the enemy was but 
a short distance ahead in considerable force, and, we having but some 700 
men in ad, it was necessary to move with caution. We continued our 
advance on Friday afternoon, but had not made over a mile when word 

201 



Ri')iiiiiiscciicc tram the "Media Ainciicaii.'' 

reached us thai a lieavy force of Rebel cavalry was rapidly approaching to 
attack us, and that our danger was imminent. The men were ordered to 
load their guns, when our forces were divided and deployed to the right 
and left along roads, around the base of a small mountain, until the most 
advantageous position had been gained, when after throwing out pickets, 
we waited for the apjjcarance of the enemy. Colonel Hawley kept his 
men almost entirely secreted within the wood from the view of an ap- 
proaching force, and acted with the greatest discrimination and judgment 
throughout. It was ascertained after waiting in this position for half an 
hour, that the alarm was false. Those who had been deployed to the lelt 
were ordered back to advance with the force on the right, which was done. 
An encampment was selected in the wood, a few hundred yards from the 
VVilliamsport pike, and about a mile from Clear Spring, and at the foot of 
a mountain called "Fair View," the summit of which commands a view 
of the country for miles in all directions. We had hardly stacked arms 
before another alarm was given. It came so sudden and was communi- 
cated to the men in such a manner by those who brought it, that we had 
no hope of ever reaching our guns, to say nothing of getting into posi- 
tion before the enemy would be upon us. The men, however, were not of 
the scary kind. They acted with the greatest coolness, under the circum- 
stances. Col. Hawley quickly formed tnem in line, and we advanced to 
the edge of the Williamsport Pike; no enemy greeted us. Our men retired, 
much disappointed in not getting a shot at the Gray Barks. A cavalry 
fight had just been going on in a field adjoining Clear Spring, in which 
three or four were wounded on both sides, some of whom have since died. 
In the meantime, or at the time of the last alarm, Capt. Woodcock had 
advanced, from a mistaken order, to the town and took possession of it 
just as the enemy were retiring, and at once prepared to hold it, and repel 
an attack of three times his number if made by cavalry. His position, over 
the brow of a hill, behind a toll-gate at that point, was well chosen, and 
from the fearless front he presented may doubtless be ascribed the fact of 
his not being attacked. The enemy were close by in heavy force, the right 
wing of General Lee's army resting within three m les. Had not Colonel 
Hawley's strength been kept well concealed, there is not the least doubt 
but that the whole of us would have been captured. Nothing could have 
prevented it. We held the place until Sunday morning, when Colonel 
Mulligan and General Kelly's force arrived and took possession. Colonel 
Hawley was highly complimented by them for the manner in which he 
managed. On Sunday morning we started back to Loudon. This was 
regretted by the men generally. We left them at INIercersburg on Sunday 
evening; they probably reached Loudon by Monday noon. It was pre- 
sumed that they would be ordered from there to Chambersburg, or the 
vicinity of Hagerstown. Since leaving Mount LTnion we have marched 
over eighty miles, over bad roads, and the men may be said to be tired and 
foot-sore. Hardly any escaped blistered feet, and in many instances bloody 
ones. They perform their duties cheerfully. Some who had left their 
families unprovided for and seemed down-hearted in consequence, liave 
cheered up wonderfully since they learned of the fifty-dollar hnunty. 
During this long journey we never got a sight of a newspaper. It seemed 
like being out of the world. 

We cannot close this without giving due praise to Colonel Hrnvlcy, 
Major Haldeman. and others of the stafif, for the gentlemanly manner in 
which thev acted towards the troops, and the efficiency with which they 
performed their duties. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Yarnall arrived with his command at Sliippensburg. 
on Monday. Captain ISlack's compan}-, frcjm Marple, is at Chambersburg. 



202 





cU^ (^(C^^^^uoM 



CAPTAIN CO. D, I24TH P. V. 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL 29TH P. V. M. 
BORN AUGUST 23, l8l2. 
DIED DECEMBER 28, I9OO. 



MUSTER ROLL OF CO. A, THIRTY-SEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA 

VOLUNTEER MILITL-V, 

IN WHICH SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE I24TH RE-ENLISTED JUNE, 1863 : 

Captain — William Frick, 

Lieutenants — Edward M. Lyons, William G. Price. 

Sergeants— John E. Shaw, Thomas Donechy, Charles D. Pennell, 
William C. Dubree, George Baker. 

Corporals— Charles A. Story, John ]\IcFall, John Atkinson, David M. 
Johnson. Henry Hinkson, Robert M. Green, Charles Hinkson, Frederick 
Engle. 

Musicians— Hamilton Sample, James Rawcliff. 



PRIVATES 



Aaron Allen, 
David Appleby, 
James R. Abernathy, 
Abram Blakely, 
Thomas W. Boker 
John Boon 
Peter Boon, 
Jacob Boon, 
William Blakely, 
Joseph Blakely, 
Christopher Blakely, 
Thomas Berry, 
George F. Brinton, 
Henry Bradley, 
Abram Birtwell, 
John Birtwell, 
Thomas Chambers, 
James Cochran, 
Alfred O. Deshong, 
James Dunkerly. 
William P. Derr, 
Julius A. Dutton, 
George P. Dale, 
William Ewing, 
Samuel Etchells, 
Peter H. Engle, 
Joseph Eckersly, 
Edwin E. Elavil], 
John Gartside, 
James Gartside, 
Thomas Gibbs, 
J. Marshall Garrett, 
Peter Goff, 
Charles L. Grubb, 
George Gorby, 
Robert C. Gorby, 
William H. Geary, 
Jonathan Grant. 
James Llause, 
Henry ]\L Hinkson, 
Alfred Huff, 
William Harrison, 



Jesse Hicken, 
Joshua Hibberd, 
J. Washington Irving, 
Henry Larkin, 
Thomas Lee, 
James Hause, 
John Holt, 
John P. Jones, 
Jacob B. Kitts, 
Joseph Ladomus, 
David W. Morrison, 
William P. Morrison, 
Jonas Miller, 
William Moore, 
Robert Mirt, 
James Montgomery, 
William Mills, 
Daniel McKinney, 
Benjamin Mason, 
James ]\Iorgan, 
William J. Oglesby, 
William Patterson, 
Andrew Phillips. 
Geo. H. Ridgeway, 
William R. Rice, 
Jacob B. Stewart, 
Robert Smith, Jr., 
Charles Sweeney, 
William Schofield, 
Arnold Shaw, 
John Slawter, 
Thomas O. Stephenson, 
Henry Sutliff, 
Richard T. Turner. 
Richard E. Turner, 
George Turner, 
William H. H. Taylor, 
Thomas Wood, 
William Wilkinson. 
Joseph Weaver, 
George H. Ridgeway, 
Jacob B. Yates, 



205 



ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY OF THE ONE 

HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, 

PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS. 

On the evening of September 7th, 1885, there assembled at 
West Chester, Pennsylvania, in the photograph parlors of Com- 
rade Thomas W. Taylor, Lieutenant W. D. Christman, George 
G. Taylor, Captain R. D. Townsend, Lieutenant Josiah Burnett, 
Lieutenant Thomas J. Townsend, Thomas W. Taylor, D. E. 
Townsend, and Charles P. Keech. The question of a reunion 
of the survivors of the 124th Regiment was discussed, and a 
temporary organization was formed, with Lieutenant Christman, 
chairman ; Charles P. Keech, secretary, and Thomas W. Taylor, 
treasurer. On motion of the secretary, it was 

Resolved, That an invitation be extended to the survivors of 
the regiment to meet at Paoli Monument Grounds on Monday, 
September 21st. 

On the evening of September 14th, a second meeting was held 
at same place, and John Crothers and D. E. Townsend were 
appointed to act in conjunction with the temporary officers to aid 
in the work preparatory to the meeting announced for the 21st. 

REUNION. 

The first gathering of the survivors of the regiment took place 
on Paoli's historic ground, September 21st, 1885. There were 
present eighty-five comrades. 

Colonel Joseph W. Hawley was elected president ; Chas. P. 
Keech and Joseph G. Cummings, secretaries. An executive 
committee was appointed and authorized to frame a Constitution 
and By-Laws for the action of the next meeting, and to complete 
arrangements for a general reunion of the regiment in West 
Chester, on November 19th, 1885. 



206 



WEST CHESTER REUNION. 

(First Annual.) 
November 19th, 1885. 

The meeting was called to order by President Colonel Joseph 
W. Hawley, and prayer was offered by Chaplain Joseph S. 
Evans. The minutes of the preliminary meetings were read by 
Secretary Keech. The Executive Committee submitted a Con- 
stitution and By-Laws, which were adopted and signed by the 
members present. 

The following officers were chosen by acclamation : 

President Colonel Joseph W. Hawley 

Vice-President Captain Charles W. Roberts 

Secretary Charles P. Keech 

Treasurer Captain W. W. Stott 

The president appointed Rev. Joseph S. Evans chaplain, and 
Charles D. M. Broomhall, historian. Present, one hundred and 
twelve comrades. 

The orator of the day was Thomas J. Stewart. Adjutant-Gen- 
eral of the Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Re- 
public. 

It was decided to hold the next reunion at Media, on Septem- 
ber 17th, 1886, the anniversary of the battle of xA.ntietam. 



207 



MEDIA REUNION. 

(Second Aiiiiiial.) 
September 17th, 1886. 

Tlie survivors of the regiment formed in line at the depot and 
marched to the Court House, headed by the drum and fife corps 
of Bradbury I'ost, No. 149, Grand Army of the Repubhc. The 
old battle flag of the regiment was carried by John Underwood, 
who was color-bearer of the regiment during its service in the 
war. 

The meeting was called to order by President Colonel Joseph 
W. Hawley. The chaplain of the regiment, Rev. Jos. S. Evans, 
offered prayer and asked Divine aid for the survivors. The officers 
of the preceding year were re-elected by acclamation. 

It was decided to hold the next reunion on the Battlefield of 
Antietam, September 17th, 1887. The president appointed the 
following committee to make arrangements : William C. Dickey, 
D. F. Houston, Charles W. Roberts, Hunter Brooke and Ralph 
Buckley. 

C. D. M. Broomhall, the historian of the regiment, read a care- 
fullv prepared history of the 124th from its inception until the 
day it was mustered out of service ; entering into minute details 
and describing the scenes in camp and battle. He reviewed the 
history of the regiment from the day of its arrival in Washing- 
ton, on August 17th, 1862; their creditable share in the great 
battle of Antietam on September 17th, in which they had more 
than sixtv killed and wounded ; how they went through mud and 
rain on the march toward Fredericksburg, arriving too late, how- 
ever, through these adverse circumstances, to participate in that 
terrible engagement ; also how they dug intrenchments at Chan- 
cellorsville with bayonets and tin plates, and further detailing 
the share of fighting done by the regiment in that battle. 

Dinner was served at the Charter House to about one hundred 
and fifty members and guests. After dinner, speeches were 
made by Robert E. Monaghan, E. P. Needles, Smedley Darling- 
ton, J®hn B. Robinson, John A. Groff, Captain Isaac Johnson 
and Joseph Ad. Thompson. 

Corporal Tom Kay sang "The Old Coffee Kettle" and gave 
flute imitations on a cane. 

208 



Media Reunion, i8S6. 
Chaplain Rev. Joseph S. Evans made the following remarks : 

"Mr. President and Comrades : I feel impelled to speak of a matter 
to-day which, while it may be of interest to my comrades, I trust it may 
also be explanatory to our friends who welcome and honor us with their 
presence. It is in reference to the strong ties which weld the hearts of 
veteran soldiers together. There is a generation of men and women in 
our midst to-day, of ages of thirty years and downward, who can have 
no adequate conception of the true cause that binds the heart of one 
veteran soldier to another. They were too young during the war to com- 
prehend what their fathers and mothers, who sent loved ones to the field 
so well knew. There are men and women in our midst who had scarcely 
seen the light of day when the war closed. These look upon reunions 
like this with a feeling of wonder; they cannot understand why there is 
such an utter absence of all caste or conventionalities, why the eye that 
begins to grow dim from weight of years should light up with an 
unwonted sparkle, and sometimes be diffused with manly tears as old 
comrades meet and grasp each other's hands with a long, strong, firm 
grasp. No, nor is it possible for them to fully comprehend it. unless at 
some future day in their lives such a dire calamity as war should call 
some of them to pass throngh similar scenes and experiences. No tongue 
so eloquent, no pen sketch so vivid as to unfold in its true character and 
force the realities which some of us have known. But in order to explain 
in some degree the reasons of such manifestations, may I not be indulged 
for a few moments while I try to relate to you some of the emotions which 
filled my soul with a strange thrill a few day's since as I passed along and 
through a part of that famous in history, and never to be forgotten in 
the hearts and memories of the 124th Regiment — battlefield of Antietam, 
where you, my brave comrades, received your first baptism of fire in the 
evermore historic cornfield. And well do you know that it was no 
Pedo-Baptist baptism either. Tn this brief description I shall seem to live 
over again some of the scenes through which we passed. It was my 
pleasure a few days ago to pass along the railroad running down the Cum- 
berland Valley from Harrisburg to Hagerstown, and from thence on the 
Shenandoah Valley Railroad to Luray and Natural Bridge in Virginia. 
All along the whole route my mind could not but dwell upon the scenes and 
incidents of the war. Chambersburg, Hagerstown, Shepardstown, and the 
place of old John Brown's martyrdom, Charlestown and a score of other 
points brought vividly to my mind the scenes and incidents which 
played such an important part in the great struggle to put down foul rebel- 
lion. But it was when I came in sight of Antietam, South Mountain and 
Maryland Heights, all taken in at one sweeping glance, that my soul was 
thrilled with emotions which almost unnerved me. I could see the smoke 
and fire, and hear the terrible roar of musketry and artillery which 
were dealing destruction and death to friend and foe alike. I could see 
again the long colunms of the blue-coited loyal sons of the North as they 

14 209 



Media Reunion, iS86. 

wended their way toward their struggling comrades across the valley by 
Middletown, I saw the dark shades of night gather around us, and the roar 
of the battle was hushed. I saw our brave boys with thousands of others 
drop down by the roadside supperless and weary ; only a few days from 
their comfortable, sweet homes and loved ones. All that night until 
morning dawn the lumbering ambulances were rattling by, freighted with 
the wounded and dying, their shrieks and groans piercing my heart 
afresh with inexpressible anguish. I saw the morning dawn, and then our 
first sight of heaps of the slain of both Blue and Gray. I saw the long 
trenches being dug to be a receptacle for those lifeless forms, but we dare 
not tarry. I saw again the breakfast which our faithful cook furnished to 
your Colonel and myself, to each of us a blackened and charred ear of 
new corn which had been roasted in the embers of a camp-fire ; that was all 
— the enemy were moving ; we must follow, our march has been forced ; 
the provision trains are not up, we must go hungry. From the railway I 
could see the mountain house on the battlefield where Generals Lee and 
AlcClellan had successively their headquarters. Though miles away, it stood 
out in its whiteness, to me a sacred landmark. Then I saw the long 
lines or columns of the Army of the Potomac stretching away down the 
mountain side and across the Valley to Boonesboro, and as we were passing 
down the mountain road I again heard the cheering from thousands of 
throats, as the cry came like lightning down the line, "Here comes little 
Mac." Then he was the idol of the Army of the Potomac ; then, and 
there, he received such an ovation as niust have cheered his soul, and 
whatever others may think, I have never lost my admiration for him as 
a brave and loyal soldier and commander. Peace be to his ashes and glory 
to his fame. Like that other grand old comrade and general, the hero 
of Gettysburg, Hancock, the dirty scum of political slander, while it dis- 
turbed their peace for a time, has left no tarnish upon their military 
glory. 

"When the brave and noble Hancock died, if ever I felt thankful to my 
God it was, that, setting aside every vestige of political bias, he had not 
been made President of the United States. He died with glory and honor 
untarnished. But I digress; I must hasten on. I see again the shades 
of night and the bivouac in the great, broad field at Nicodemus Mills. I hear 
again General Crawford's order promulgated, "The fence must not be 
disturbed," and yet in half an hour those very fences had boiled thousands 
of cups of cofifee and fried hundreds of pounds of bacon, and by their 
smouldering ashes lay whole brigades of weary, sleeping men. The next 
evening, Tuesday, September i6th, I see the brigade along the pike near 
Sharpsburg; tlie thunder of conflict is coming across the hill which hides 
it from our view; we wait in suspense. I see again, just across the pike 
on the other side in that orchard, comrades of another brigade, who, like 
ourselves, are waiting. I see that spent cannon ball cut off the head of one 
of tho.se men as quickly as by a stroke of lightning. Midnight comes. 
Again the wearied men lie sleeping all around ; and the whispered orders 

210 



Media Reunion, 1886. 

to move come witli strange, startling awe to my ear. No word to be 
spoken aloud; no drum to beat; no noise, the enemy are just beyond. With 
silent tread we wend our way through the darkness, we know not where. 
The rattle of the musketry of the pickets is near by, and then afar off, away 
down the line. We halt quiet as before. A drizzling rain o'er head, a 
plowed field beneath our feet ; there we lie down, resting awhile as we 
await the storm of death. Soon the faint streaks of daylight appear ; the 
din and strife increase; the order comes to move. Without a mouthful of 
breakfast the brave boys of the 124th, only four weeks' soldiers, marched 
untlinchingly forward to the line of fire. There, shoulder to shoulder, 
they marched into the storm of death in the cornfield. I need not tell you 
the rest ; I cannot describe the thunder and crash of battle ; the roar of 
the artillery; the fiendish yell of the Rebel charge; the awful sight of 
wounded and dead comrades on every hand. I see again the white-haired, 
noble Mansfield, with the fatal bullet in his heart. I see Colonel Croasdale. 
of the 128th, with the sickly bullet hole in his forehead, carried to the rear 
a lifeless corpse, a few minutes after he went into the fight. I see again 
cur brave Lieutenant Finch as he lies upon the straw in the barn with a 
death wound through his body. I see others of our regiment dead and 
wounded all around. But as I turn back I see the kind face of our tender- 
hearted but now departed comrade, Tom Foster, with face pale as ashes 
and tears running down his cheeks, he cries, "My God, chaplain, here is 
our Colonel wounded." Tenderly we carried him to the old farmhouse; 
with bated breath we wait as the surgeon tries to probe the wound ; sor- 
rowfully we place him again in the ambulance, and wend our w^ay in the 
twilight hour toward Boonesboro. On the morrow we bade him, what we 
then thought, the last sad farewell ; to-day we praise the name of the God 
of battles, who spared his life to attend this reunion. We wend our way 
back to the field of carnage. The dark shades of gloomy night have again 
settled over our brave and shattered army. By the flare of the flickering 
light we see our boys gathered in the woods ; the unburied dead are all 
about them. All expected that the morrow's dawn would bring on the 
dreadful carnage again. We held our little prayer-meeting over again. 
I received again messages from officers and men to loved ones at home in 
case they should fall in the to-morrow's battle. My friends, these were 
times that tried men's souls. These were the scenes and experiences which 
welded men's hearts together in an eternal bond of friendship. This is 
why we greet each other so heartily and lovingly. Do you understand it 
better than before? Souls welded together in scenes like these lose all 
sense of difference of station, education or nationality. As each looks in 
the face of the other, they see only the face of a brother." 



211 



ANTIETAM REUNION. 

(Third Aiiiiiial.) ■ 
September 29th, 1887. ."•■ 

In consequence of the Constitutional Centennial being held in 
Philadelphia. September 15th, i6th and 17th, the contemplated 
trip to Antietam was postponed to the 29th, on which date the 
rain made the outlook very gloomy for a pleasant trip. 

Owing to the inclement weather, it was decided to stop at 
Hagerstown until morning. The Baldwin House placed their 
parlors at the disposal of the Association, and the meeting was 
called to order by President Colonel Joseph W. Hawley. The 
officers of the previous year were elected, except that Captam 
W. W. Stott was succeeded as treasurer by Captain Joseph 
Pratt. Chester was decided upon as the place for the next 
annual reunion, September 17th, 1888. 

Roll-call showed the following members present: 

George F. Bailey 
C, H. Dilworth 
George ]\I. Thomson 
Mifflin W. Bailey 
Charles Daller 



Col. Jos. W. Hawley 

George J. Steitler , 

Lieutenant Ralph Buckley 

George W. Ayres 

Gardiner Kelly 

Jacob Barlovv; 

Thonaas H., Kay , 

Captaip, Joseph Pra,tt . 

Lewis Farra 

John ^L Windle 

Wilmer Wood 

Benjamin Brooke 

Robert ]\I. Green 

John S. Baldwin 

Charles P. Keech 

Captain James Barton 

William Trainer, Jr. 

William F. Shaw 

William D. Wilkinson 

Lewis Wilson 

Lieutenant William C. Dickey 

Joel Hollingsworth 



Thomas T. Smith 
Abraham Brubaker 
W. W. Potts 
I. Walton Martin 
Jesse Darlington 
Edward B. Green 
C. D. M. Broomhall 
Lorenzo F. Davis 
Benjamin T. Green 
Thomas Chambers 
Joseph B. Hinkson 
Lieutenant Harry C. Wells 
Jo'^eph M. Showalter 
Milton INIcFadden 
Rev. Joseph S. Evans 
Captain Charles W. Roberts 
Lieutenant John A. Groff 
Bernard Hawlcv 



After supper, Reno Post, G. A. R., Department of :\laryland. 
tendered the use of their Post room, where a camp-fire was 



212 



Aiiticlain Kcnniou, 1S87. 

Started, Colonel Hawley presiding. Commander G. L. Fisher, 
of Reno Post, extended a cordial welcome to the members of the 
Association, to which Colonel Hawley responded. Speeches 
were made by Chaplain Evans, Lieutenant Groff, Captain Barton, 
Lieutenant Buckley, Lieutenant William C. Dickey, of the Asso- 
ciation, and Captain Boward, of Reno Post. Corporal Tom Kay 
filled in the space with his "Old Coffee Kettle" and other well- 
known selections. 

After a night's rest, the journey was resumed to Antietam, 
arriving there at 8.45 A. M. Carriages were in waiting, and a 
pleasant day was spent visiting the various points of interest on 
that memorable field. As we gazed on the fields surrounding 
Bloody Lane, now giving forth their fruits of peace, it was hard 
to give expression to our thoughts. If those old trees could speak, 
what an experience they could tell of twenty-five years ago, when 
the dead — man and beast — dying and wounded, lay side by side 
beneath their spreading, shot-ridden branches, which to-day are 
outstretched over fields ripe for the harvest of peace. The sacri- 
fice, indeed, was great beyond computation, but the result was a 
benefaction to mankind, the salvation of the greatest government 
on earth. 




213 



CHESTER REUNION. 

(Fourth Annual.) 
September 17. 1888. 

The meeting was called to order by President Colonel Joseph 
W. Hawley, and prayer offered by Chaplain Joseph S. Evans. 

Roll call showed 100 members present. The officers of pre- 
vious year were re-elected, except that Captain Joseph Pratt was 
succeeded as treasurer by Joel Hollingsworth. 

A committee was appointed to secure ground on which to erect 
a tablet on Antietam battleground. The committee consisted of 
David F. Houston, Charles W. Roberts, Edwin F. James, 
Benjamin Brooke, Joseph Showalter, Ralph Buckley. George 
M. Thomson, Robert j\I. Green, Joseph B. Hinkson, Milton 
McFadden. 

A committee was also appointed to print a history of the 
regiment. It consisted of W. W. Potts, Thomas Chambers, 
George M. Thomson, David F. Houston, and Thomas T. Smith. 

An invitation was extended by Admiral S. F. Dupont F'ost, 
No. 2, G. A. R. of Delaware, to hold the next annual reunion in 
Wilmington. The invitation was accepted. 

The Committee of Arrangements had made preparations for 
the society to visit the various industrial establishments of the 
city, but the inclement weather prevented that part of the program 
from being carried out. 



214 



WILMINGTON REUNION. 

(Fifth Annual.) 
SEPTEMBER 17, 1889. 

At the annual reunion lield in Chester, Pennsylvania, Septem- 
ber 17, 1888, Wilmington, Delaware, was decided upon as the 
place of meeting for this year, by invitation of Admiral S. F. 
Dupont Post, No. 2. Grand Army of the Republic. 

The members and friends, of the Association assembled at the 
Philadelphia, Wilmington and r)altimore Railroad Station, 
Wilmington, Delaware, at 9.30 A. Al. 

Each comrade of the Association was presented with a badge 
by Dupont Post, inscribed as follows : Admiral S. F. Dupont 
Post No. 2, Department of Delaware, G. A. R., to the Survivors 
of the 124th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 
September 17, 1889. 

After some time spent in greetings and introductions, we were 
escorted to the Opera House by the comrades of Dupont and 
other posts, members of city councils, and a fife and drum corps 
of 20 pieces ; in the procession was Governor Biggs and statT, of 
Delaware, and many of the leading citizens of W'ilmington and 
Chester. 

One hundred and fifty-six of the comrades of the regiment 
were present, and when Colonel Hawley led them down the 
central aisle of the Opera House auditorium, there was a roar 
of applause from the large audience as the tattered battle-flag of 
the regiment fluttered its thin remnants to the swinging march 
of the men who had followed it to victory in days gone by. The 
platfonu was decorated with flags and bunting, among the former 
being that of Dupont Post and the 124th Regiment. 



215 



Wiluiiiigtou Reunion, 1889. 

Captain Edward F. James, of Company G, 124th, on behalf 
of the Committee of Arrangements, introduced, as "the soldier's 
friend," Washington Jones, Esq., as chairman of the meeting. 

Mr. Jones, in expressing his appreciation of the honor, said 
he hoped the day would never come when he would fail to honor 
the memory of those who gave their lives for the maintenance of 
the Union. 

The Rev. L. E. Barrett, of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal 
Church, offered an eloquent and appropriate prayer. 

A quartette sang "We Old Boys." 

" 'Twas side by side as comrades dear, 

In dark days long ago, 
We fought the fight without a fear, 

And rendered blow for blow. 
In battle, march or prison pen, 

Each unto each was true. 
As beardless boys became strong men, 

And brav'd the long war through." 

Governor Biggs, of Delaware, being introduced, said, in part : 

"Through the partiahty of Du Pont Post, I appear to welcome to the 
State of Delaware the 124th Regiment. I welcome you with open arms 
and with a warm heart. The State of Delaware has a history. The State 
of Pennsylvania has a history. And these histories have been made side 
by side by men of the Keystone and Diamond States. 

"A Franklin and a Rodney together signed that immortal bill of rights 
which has been liberty's beacon light down the years of a century — the 
Declaration of Independence. 

"While we of Delaware were the first to ratify that Magna Charta of 
human liberty — the Constitution of the United States, the men of Penn- 
sylvania quickly fell into alignment, and together on almost every field of 
strife during the long, dark and bloody years of the Revolution, side by 
side they bled, fought and died that America might be free. 

"In the earlier days of the legislative history of our country, Pennsylvania 
and Delaware were one and inseparable in the support of measures which 
tended in the greatest degree for the upbuilding of this God-given, sublime 
governmental superstructure, which is to the nations of the earth as was 
the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites of old, leading them to the prom- 
ised land of independence and happiness. 

"In every struggle in the subsequent history of our Nation together we 
fought, side by side, for the honor of the flag and the perpetuation of our 
common country. 

216 



Wilmington Reunion, i88g. 

"And so to-day, while we recognize you as Pennsylvanians, and as . 
such bid you welcome to our State, yet we would greet you in a higher 
sense as citizens of our greater commonwealth — as soldiers of the Republic, 
tried so as by fire — as men weighed in the balance in the hour of the 
Nation's peril and not found wanting. 

"My life is behind me. and I thank God for His goodness and mercy to 
me. As I look backward, the years of the history of your country and 
nnne are crowned with blessings. Standing here to-day, on this Pisgah 
point, glancing backward over the marvelous history of this Nation, vvc: 
can but exclaim, 'What hath God wrought?' and catching an inspiration 
from the glorious past, we cast our eyes forward to an unlimited expanse 
of progress and glory which shall eclipse in its grandeur the greatness of 
all the nations of the earth. 

"We are proud to welcome you to-day, brave men of the One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth. As a regiment you did noble service. At Antietam, 
amid the storm of shot and shell, in which the brave Mansfield fell and 
before which your gallant Colonel went down, you so well and fearlessly 
dischargee) your duty, that your Commander. General McClcllan, has spe- 
cially commended you. What a high and proud position you and your 
comrades of the Grand Army have won. What a legacy you have made 
for your children !" 

Turning to the battle-flag of the regiment, the Governor said: "Unfurl 
that flag. (Amidst cheers the flag was unfurled.) God bless its tattered 
and bullet-riddled folds! What a history it has! Cherish it, boys of the 
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth! In its defense and under its leadership 
many of your comrades died in that field of death, the historic cornfield of 
Antietam. 

"Again, I bid you welcome. You are prisoners of war. Consider your- 
selves for the present Delawareans. Presently, under the leadership of 
the gallant Captain James, chairman of the committee, you will be led to 
an attack to which we hope you will do full justice as you did on the field 
of battle. Do your duty as men — as hungry men." 

It is to be regretted that the remarks of Governor Biggs cannot 
be e-iven at ereater length, as his address was an admirable one. 

O c^ O ^ ^ 

He stirred the heart of every soldier present by his patriotic 
utterances and his generous words of welcome. 

Colonel Joseph W. Hawley was called upon to respond to the 
governor. In a few appropriate words he returned thanks for 
the honor, and introduced the Hon. John M. Broomall, Media. 
Delaware County, Pa. 

Remarks of Hon. John M. Broom.\ll. 

In part he said : "Having obeyed the Colonel's orders a number of years 
ago. it would not be well for me to shirk now. The Colonel, however, did 

217 



Jl'i.iningtnii Rcioiiini, iSSg. 

not ask me to do his fighting. It affords mc pleasure on behalf of the 
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment to thank the Post and the 
Governor for their kindness. I am a peace man, and have always been. 
I do not believe in settling questions of law on the battlefield, and soon 
questions will be settled differently. Sometimes there is a necessity for 
war. When that necessity for war was over we settled other questions in 
a different manner. Before the Rebellion, American patriotism had almost 
been forgotten. When it came, party questions were forgotten and a 
rebellion put down that would have upset any other government in the 
world. I thank the Governor for his warm words of welcome." 

Captain Isaac Johnson, Media, Pa., was introduced. 

"I am absolved," he said in part, "from any reply to the "^Mayor. When 
I saw the flags as we marched up the streets of this city I thought the 
day would not soon come when the men who risked their lives for their 
country twenty-five years ago will forget the flag. It is right that Delaware 
should welcome a Pennsylvania regiment. Delaware was a border State, 
and had ihe Rebellion succeeded this would have been a battle ground. 
It is right that Delaware should welcome the One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth, and she has done it nobly. Let me say on behalf of the One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth, that we thank you for this royal welcome. 
We will welcome you in some future time as you have welcomed us 
to-day." 

The song, "Dying Bugler," was next sung, with admirable 
efifect, by Prof. N. D. Cloward. He held the audience spellbound. 

Department Commander Captain Peter B. Ayars, being intro- 
duced, said, in part : 

"Mr. Ch.-mrman : As so many speeches of 'welcome' have been made, 
and I am expected to make another on the same line, I am reminded of the 
story of a poor fellow who was unfortunately kicked to death by an army 
mule, and we all know they w^ere 'kickers.' A telegram announcing the 
sad event was sent to the parents of the deceased. An answer was 
received: 'Send the remains home.' The circumstances were such that but 
one reply could be sent: 'There are no remains.' (Laughter.) 

"After listening to the speeches of the eloquent gentlemen who have 
preceded me, there seems to be 'no remains' for me on the 'welcome' line. 

"I have always been grateful that my services in the Army of the Union 
during the Rebellion entitled me to comradeship in the Grand Army of the 
Republic, and am doubly grateful to-day to be privileged not only to greet 
you as comrades of the war, but to extend to you officially the warm 
soldierly greetings of the Grand Army of Delaware. This day of all other 
days, and Wilmington of all other places, it seems to me to be the 
very time and place for holding your reunion. 

2l8 



jrihiiiiigtoii Reunion, 1889. 

"A little more than a quarter of a century ago to-day, on the field of 
Antietam. you received your first baptism of fire from the enemy's guns, 
and your brave Colonel Hawley went down while leading you to victory. 
Your regiment presented a magnificent spectacle, as steadily through the 
smoke of battle you advanced to the front and engaged the enemy in the 
cornfield above the sunken road, and when the harvest of death seemed 
greatest, and your thinned lines were wavering under the galhng fire, then 
that noble old regiment, the First Delaware (then, too, to receive its bap- 
tism and make its first sacrifice), came to your support, and together the 
men of Pennsylvania and Delaware, aj in the days of '76, mingled their 
blood in defense of their country. 

"To-day those who fell, sleep side by side in the beautiful National 
Cemetery on the hillside, till the last reveille shall be sounded. Therefore, 
I say, this is the proper time, Septemb-r 17, and Wilmington, our beautiful 
city, the proper place for your reunion. 

"Ours is a great order, consisting, as it does, of thirty-si.x departments 
and four thousand si.x hundred posts and a total membership of over four 
hundred thousand, all touching elbow to elbow to-day as they did from 
'61 to '65. There was expended last year over one million dollars in 
charity; not given, as the world understands it, in a spirit that makes a 
poor man feel poorer, but in that spirit that was taught us by the Great 
Teacher of old, who went about over those Judean hills doing good to the 
aftiicted people. 

"And so the fellowship of suffering continues, and we go down to the 
edge of the border land with our sick. 

"In all this broad land of ours to-day there is not one comrade in an alms- 
house, unless of his own volition. Thanks to the efforts of the Grand 
Army of the Republic and a generous Government, homes have been pro- 
vided where all the "old boys," who. by reason of wounds, or whose health 
has been impaired by hard, arduous service during the Rebellion, can 
go and be made comfortable the remainder of his life, and they are homes 
indeed. 

"A friend asked me some few days ago why. in the three cardinal 
words of our association, the word 'Loyalty' was engrafted. Was it 
necessary to pledge the old boys to renewed loyalty for the flag? 

"1 said: Oh, no! They have attested that on every battle-field of the 
South,' and to my idea that would be about as silly as the pension law that 
makes an applicant for pension, after four years' hard service, go back and 
prove that he was an able-bodied man before he entered the service. 

"But a different teaching than this of loyalty is intended. Loyalty to 
each other and each other's interest. With no sect, no creed, no politics, 
and no rank but the broad platform of comradeship. 

"I knew two comrades who had braved the perils of the second battle 
of Bull Run together. One of them was badly wounded just as the break 
came on the afternoon of the third day's fighting, and 'Tom' braved again 
a hundred deaths in carrying his comrade off the field. All through the 

219 



Wiliniiigtoit Reunion, iSS(^. 

long night of that retreat towards Centreville Heights he stayed by him 
trying to get him to a place of safety. At last he was forced to rest with 
him by the roadside, blocked with debris of all kinds. 'Tom,' spake Bill, 
iet me lie here and you save yourself. You can't do any more for me. 
I shall die, anyhow.' Tom wiped the great beads of sweat from his face, 
and the tears from his eyes, and said : 'Bill, if there's anybody saved, 
there'll be two of us or none !' and with the daylight he trudged up tlie 
heights of Centreville with his friend, saved from death or a Southern 
prison. 

"That is 'loyalty,' and the pledge that one comrade gives to another in 
our association. 

"I knew two comrades who were captured and taken to Andersonville. 
One was married, the other single. After seven long, weary months the 
name of the single one was called for exchange. He had stood the fearful 
tortures of that 'hell on earth' better than his comrade, who was fast fail- 
ing, and if he remained there must soon die. The unmarried one compelled 
him to take his name and place when the roll for exchange was called, 
and thus sent him back to life and liberty, and to the arms of his wife and 
companionship of his baby girl, while the other remained to suffer and 
perhaps die. 

"That was loyalty. It was such substitution for a friend as Christ on the 
cross exemplified by his awful death to save humanity, and I rejoice, my 
comrades, that nearly seven hundred thousand of us still remain that have 
learned those sweet and holy loyalties, so closely allied, that were learned 
in the rude school of war." 

The Rev. David Tully, chaplain of Bradbury Post, Media, Pa., 
was then introduced, and said : 

"After all that has been said it will be hard for any one of us chaplains 
to find anything to say. I believe in calling things by their right names. 
When a person fires on a flag of his country he is a traitor. The heresy 
of State rights may have been the cause, but people must understand that 
a government is a government. That was what the Grand Army of the 
Republic fought for. All the great rivers, all the mountain ranges run 
North and South. We could not afford to allow another country to own 
the mouths of all the rivers, and the Grand Army of the Republic saved 
them. We thank you for the welcome we have received." 

Post Chaplain James McCoy, of Dupont Post, followed with a 
short address replete with wit and humor. He simply captured 
the audience. The chaplain made a tremendous hit in blaming 
Governor Biggs for one great omission in his speech. He made 
the strange omission (for Governor Biggs) of omitting to pay 
his respects to the ladies. The governor seemed taken by 

220 



H'ihningfoii Rciiiiioii, /i'i'p. 

surprise. The incident was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, 
and none laughed louder than the governor himself. 

The chaplain continuing said : "I was invited to address you to-day, and 
was told it would he well to prepare myself. I said I would gladly say a 
word to our guests, but I should do it as I fought the Rebels, from the 
shoulder. 

"Brevet-Corporal James and the ladies of DuPont Post have made ample 
arrangements for appeasing your appetites, which by this time must be 
pretty well sharpened, and I won't detain you. But we shall expect yon 
to charge the breastworks — of chicken — as bravely as you fought this day 
twenty-seven years ago." 

The last speaker was Chaplain Evans. As he was the last 
speaker, he said that he would have to restrict his remarks to a 
general expression of thanks to Dupont Post, the State of 
Delaware, Governor Biggs, to the mayor and the city of Wil- 
mington, and the hundreds of ladies and gentlemen gathered to 
honor a regiment of Pennsylvania soldiers. 

Professor Cloward then sang, as a solo, the ''Battle Hymn of 
the Republic," the "boys" and the audience uniting in the chorus 
with a will that recalled the days of the past, when the grand 
anthem sung on the march and around the "watch-fires of a 
thousand circling camps" stirred the hearts of men "to die to 
make men free." 



Flag Presentation. 

Reverend David Tully appeared on the stage with a handsome 
new silk flag, bearing, in gold letters, the inscription: "From the 
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment to 
Du Pont Post, No. 2, Department of Delaware, G. A. R.," In 
part, he said : 

Comrade;- of DuPont Post: — You have overwhelmed us with your 
kindness to-day. We gratefully accepted your invitation to hold our 
reunion with you. We were thankful for the extended courtesy — and we 
felt we wanted in some w^ay to show the appreciation of 3'our fraternal 
spirit; to leave with you some memento of the occasion that you could 
treasure. 

As such, we have had prepared the beautiful flag which T have the honor 
to be delegated to present to you to-day on behalf of the survivors of the 
I.^4th Regiment. 

221 



Wibningtou Rcitiiioii, 18S9. 

What more appropriate gift could we bring you? We are sure none 
would be more highly prized. 

Comrades, you represent to-day individually, as members of DuPont 
Post, vctemns who have served in nearly every battle of the war. You have 
known what it is to follow the flag to victory and to ofifer up your lives and 
limbs in its defense. You have seen your comrades fall, bleeding, 
wounded, torn, dying and dead, under its folds. 

For it >ou gave up home, father, mother, wife, children and sweetheart. 
Oh, the pain of those partings ! oh, the long tedious days and nights of 
separation! oh, the suffering and deprivations of those weary years, when we 
made of disease a bed-fellow, and of death a daily companion that this flag 
might still wave over a united people. 

Comrades, you love this flag. We all love this flag. It stands to-day 
for all that men love best. Under its folds man can find all that God 
designed him to have. It stands for happy homes and a Christian Sabbath, 
for the elevating of human character, for all that is good and noble, brave 
and pure. 

To-day it represents a nation of si.xty-five millions of people — a united, 
happy people ; and these, under God, owe this greatness and this happiness 
to the sacrifices made by men such as are represented here to-day by the 
Grand Army and the veterans of the 124th Regiment. 

And so, in the name and by the authority of the 124th Regiment, I 
present you this flag. I need not urge you to cherish it. Ere long, as the 
years roll round in their rapid flight, we shall be mustered out. Life's 
battle will he over. Let us see to it, comrades, that we "fight a good fight," 
and then beyond the darkness of death we shall be awakened by the 
reveille of a glorious morning. 

Post Commander Dufify received the flag from the hands of 
Chaplain Tully, and said: "On behalf of DuPont Post I ask 
our friend. Senator Higgins, to respond for us." Senator Higgins 
in part said : 

"It gives me great pleasure on behalf of DuPont Post to tender the vet- 
erans of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment their sincere and 
hearty thanks for this beautiful flag. It is the emblem of all that men hold 
most dear, of all that government and civilization conserve, of the security 
of person and property, of morality and religion, of liberty and law. It 
was that flag that was fired on at Sumpter, an act resented by the gallant 
men, some of whom I see before me. 

"There was but one war in all history as worthy as the war in which 
you fought. That was the war of the American Revolution that secured 
the independence of this people. As .it the end of that war there was no 
one to gainsay what our fathers fought for, so at the end of that great 
conflict which shook the continent, and in which you took so conspicuous 

222 



Wihiiingtoii Reunion, i88g. 

and so honorable a part, there was no one who was not thankful for its 
result. 

The Rebellion was precipitated in the interests of slavery. Indeed, the 
Rebellion was slavery, and slavery the Rebellion. But you will to-day look 
in vain throughout the entire South to find one man who would restore 
slavery, or who is not profoundly thankful that it was destroyed, and 
that the Union represented by that flag was preserved. 

"That flag was unfurled by the order of George Washuigton. You 
fought for it under Abraham Lincoln. The country owes the men who 
fought for it a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. The nation will 
not let them sink into a pauper's grave. Their path will be smoothed by 
the Government's bounty, and they will live among the plaudits of their 
countrymen." 

The remarks of Senator Higgins were received with cheers 
by the boys of Du Pont Post. 

As the cheers died away, Professor Cloward rang out the 
familiar and stirring words of "Rally Round the Flag," and 
beckoning to the audience, they rose to their feet, and, joining 
with him in the chorus, made the welkin ring with its soul- 
stirring and patriotic strains. 

The audience was dismissed with a benediction by the Rev. J. 
D. C. Hanna, pastor of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. 

At the conclusion of the exercises at the Opera House, the 
regiment was escorted by the drum corps and Du Pont Post to 
the Post room, at Tenth and Market streets. 

BUSINESS MEETING. 
The Association was called to order by Colonel Hawley, and 
after prayer by Chaplain Evans the secretary announced the 
following as having answered roll call. 

STAF?. 

Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, Chaplain Joseph S. Evans, 
Hospital Steward T. Benton Aitken, and Commissary Sergeant 
W. Pusey West. 

COMPANY A. 

Samuel P). Smiley, Eli H. Baldwin, Bernard Hawley. William 
H. Harp, Alfred Mullen, Charles D. Patterson, Joseph T. Pierce. 

223 



irHiiiiiigloii Rciiiiioii, jSSg. 

William H. H. Pierce, Charles P. Rushton. Jacob S. Stott, 
William Stamp, George J. Steitler, Henry B. Thompson, Charles 
W. Roberts. 

COMPANY 15. 

Ralph Buckley, John B. Silvey, Charles W. Broadbent, Jacob 
Barlow, Edwin Cooper, Thomas Chambers, Charles Creamer, 
Elmer Edwards, Gardner Kelley, Jesse W. Paist, Edward D. 
Sipler, George H. Shillingford, John J. Wilkinson. 

COMPANY c. 

James B. Whitcraft, William C. Dickey, Jacob Z. Webb, 

George G. Taylor, John A. Smith. Richard F. Cowan, David E. 

Kirk, John A. Leek, John R. McFadden, William H. Pierson, 

Lambdon F. Thomas, W. Harrison Worth, Robert G. Woodside. 

COMPANY D. 

Norris L. Yarnall, Joseph Pratt, C. D. M. Broomhall, J. Frank 

'■'Black, Benjamin Brooke, Benjamin T. Green, W. Wayne 
• Vogdes, William H. Beatty, William T. Innes. Jr., John F. 
Worrilow, Joel Hollingsworth, Hunter Brooke. James Cheetham, 
Lorenzo F. Davis, Jesse Darlington, Jr., William G. Davidson, 
Harry R.' Duey, Anderson Fielding, John L. Grim, William 
Gamble, Edward B. Green, John H. Henderson, William G. 

' Howarth, Brinton J. Heyburn, John D. Howard, Philip R. 
Johnson, George D. Miller, Charles Moore, Pennell Stackhouse, 
Stephen T. Smith, Walker Y. Wells, Charles W. Watkins, 
Henry C. Warburton. , ; 

i COMPANY E. 

■"''■• 'Edwin Otley, Richard D. Townsend, Josiah Burnett, George 
F. Baily, Thomas W. Taylor, Moses M. Brown, Elias W. 
Copeland, David Cox, John J. Epright, George B. Foreman, 
George D. Farra, Ezekiel R. Griffith, Joseph W. Hall. Edward 
T. Harlan, Frederick Ingram, S. S. Johnson, Davis Moulder, 
Emmor L. Talley, Joseph B. Taylor, James Wilson, Davis E. 
Townsend. 

COMPANY F. 
William W. Potts, Thomas T. Smith. William Williams, 
Mifflin W. Bailey, Reese M. Bailey, John S. Baldwin, William 

224 



Jl'ihniiiiiton Rniiiion, i8Sg. 

H. Bush. John I. Chalfant, Charles Daller, Peter Gamble, 
Michael Longhran, Townsend A. Mercer, I. Walton Martin, 
James McClintock, Samuel Penniger, David C. W'indle. Charles 
P. Keech. 

COMPANY G. 

Edward F. James, Joseph N. Marshall, John W. Crothers, 
Jacob E. James. Gilpin B. Underwood, William Mendenhall, J. 
Underwood, Jr., \\^illiam D. Webster, Wihner Woods. 

COMPANY H. 

Samuel K. Crozier, William Trainer, Jr.. James C. Hinkson, 
Charles Bonsall. Jr.. Robert Casey, Jr.. Robert M. Green, 
Benjamin F. Hirst, Harvey E. Pierce, Horatio N. Piatt, Isaac 
E. Price, Moses Williams, Samuel W. Neeld. 

COMPANY I. 

Joseph B. Hinkson. Nicholas Garrigan. Lewis T. Johnson, 
Enos W. Ross. 

COMPANY K. 

William W. Stott, Henry C. Wells, Lewis Wilson. Enos C. 
Baker, Joseph C. Freel, John T. Garrett, David E. Gordon, 
George Harkins, John Judge, William Kane, Milton McFadden, 
Elisha H. Newlin. 

Chaplain Evans then offered the following report: 

To the OMccrs and Members of the Association of the Siir7'i7'ors of the 
124th Regiment, P. V.: 

Comrades: Your Committee on Obituaries, appointed at our last reunion, 
held at Chester, Delaware County, Pa., beg leave to submit the following: 

Second Lieuten.\nt John A. Groff. 

Was mustered into Company A, 124th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, August 8. 1862, as Sergeant. On October 20. 1862. was promoted to 
the rank of First Sergeant, and on February 2. 1863. to Second Lieutenant. 

He served faithfully and honorably for the full term of his enlistment, 
and was honorably mustered out with his regiment, May 17, 1863. by 
reason of expiration of term of service. 

Comrade Groff being left at a tender age an orphan, by the death of 

15 225 



iribiiiiigton Rcuiiioii, 1SS9. 

his father, was compelled by force of circumstances to seek his own 
living. He spent several years of his early life with an honored member of 
the Society of Friends, Norris Maris, near Chester Springs, Pa. While 
there he acquired an education which fitted him for places of honor and 
usefulness in after life. 

Notwithstanding the peculiar influences which surrounded his early life. 
which were of a non-combative character, his heart was fired by a spirit of 
patriotism when the flag of his country was fired upon l)y rebel traitors. 
These impulses led him to enlist in defense of that dear old flag. 

After the close of the war he became a teacher in the Soldiers' Orphans' 
School, at Chester Springs, near his old home. He did faithful service in 
this capacity to those whom the dead, who had sacrificed their lives in the 
same holy cause in which he had served, had left to the care and protection 
of the living, until in 1869, he was elected to the office of Recorder of 
Deeds of Chester County, Pennsylvania, which office he filled with honor 
and credit. At the close of his term of office, feeling he must seek a 
broader field for his talents and energies, he entered upon the study of law 
in the office of the late lamented Hon. Judge Futhey. 

After his admission to the bar of the courts of Chester County he con- 
tinued in practice in his chosen profession up to the time of his death. 

Comrade Grof¥ ever had a warm place in his heart for the soldiers' 
orphans. Pie paid frequent visits to his former school at Chester Springs 
Invariably on each succeeding Fourth of July, as the years passed away, 
he w^ould gather about him some of his old comrade? of the war, and, 
with a generous supply of fireworks, would proceed on the evening of that 
day to the school, and there have his own heart rejuvenated and made 
glad at the manifestations of delight and true enjoyment by the children. 

Conu-ade Grotif. after a painful and lingering illness, died in the borough 
of West Chester, Pennsylvania, on December 13, 1887. His remains, 
accompanied by a number of his late comrades in arms and his relatives 
and friends, were interred in Fernwood Cemetery, Delaware County, Pa. 

Sergeant John Middleton Clayton. 

Was mustered in as First Sergeant of Company H, 124th Regiment. 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, on August 9, 1862. He served honorably and 
faithfully in this capacity until the end of liis term of enlistment. He 
was mustered out with his company, on May 16, 1863, by reason of expira- 
tion of term of service. 

He was born in Bethel, Delaware County. Pa., October 13. 1840. His 
father, John Clayton, was an earnest Whig, and was a delegate to the 
National convention that nominated General Harrison in 1840. During that 
most remarkable campaign the twin brothers John and William were born. 
William was named after the President and John after the Vice-President. 
Their names as recorded in the family Bible were William Henry Harrison 
Clayton and John Tyler Clayton. After Tyler's treachery and desertion to 
the Democrats, a family counsel was called and the name "Tyler" was 

226 



irihiiiiigtoii Reunion, iS8q. 

stricken out of John's name and the name of "JNIiddleton" substituted. 
The intention was that instead of being named after Vice-President Tyler, 
he should be named after Hon. John M. Clayton, then U. S. Senator for 
Delaware. John had a good English education, and was also a fair Latin 
scholar. He was remarkable for his gentle but firm disposition. He had 
perfect control of his passions, and was never known to speak loud or lose 
his temper. He was a forcible debater and a good public speaker. He 
was, from his youth, a consistent member of the AI. E. Church and stood 
high in the Masonic Fraternity. After the termination of the war, at 
the suggestion of his brother. General Powell Clayton, he removed to 
Arkansas and became extensively engaged in planting cotton in Jefferson 
County, near Pine Bluff". He soon took a prominent position in public 
affairs. He served with credit in the Legislature of the State, and was 
five times elected sheriff of Jefferson County. At the earnest solicitation 
of his political friends he consented to become a candidate for Congress 
from the Second District of Arkansas, and was regularly nominated for 
office, his Democratic competitor being Hon. R. C. Breckinridge. Soon 
after the polls had closed it was conceded that he had been elected by a 
majority too large to be overcome by a fraudulent manipulation of the 
counting officers. To overcome the difficulty it was necessary to throw 
out the entire vote of the county of Conway, where he had his greatest fol- 
lowing. While the officers of this county were preparing their return, a 
party of masked and armed men entered the room, captured the ballots and 
all papers and burned them in the public highway. Notwithstanding this 
outrage and the fraudulent tampering with the returns in other districts, 
Mr. Breckinridge's majority was only a few hundred. Clayton's friends 
insisted upon a contest for the purpose of exposing the disgraceful frauds, 
and although warned that his life would be the price of the contest, he 
determined to prosecute it. While taking depositions at Plummersville 
on the evening of January 29, 1889, he was assassinated by being shot 
through the window where he was seated conversing with a friend. A 
full charge of buck shot was fired into his head and neck, causing instant 
death. 

To the disgrace of the State of Arkansas, the perpetrators of this crime, 
although w-ell known, have not been brought to justice, and in all probability 
never will be. Socially John M. Clayton had no enemies in Arkansas; 
his assassination was the outcome of a purely political conspiracy. 

Upon his father's side John M. Clayton was descended from the same 
common ancestor as the one for wdiom he was named, Hon. John AL 
Clayton, of Delaware. His mother was a blood relation of Commodore 
Decatur; she left four sons. Thomas J. Clayton, President Judge of the 
Thirty-second District of Pennsylvania ; General Powell Clayton, late 
Governor and U. S. Senator from Arkansas, and Judge William W. H. 
Clayton, at present \J. S. Attorney at Fort Smith, Ark., he having resigned 
his office of Judge to accept his present appointment. He was also a mem- 
ber of Company H. 124th Regt.. Pa. Vols. 

227 



U ihniiigtoii Rciiiiioii, iSSt). 

David F. Houston. 

Was mustered into Company F, 124th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, on August II, 1862. He served faithfully in the capacity of private 
for the full term of enlistment, and was honorahly mustered out with the 
surviving members of his regiment on May 16, 1863, by reason of expiration 
of term of service. 

Comrade Houston, who was present at our reunion held in the city of 
Chester, one year ago, and who was at that time appointed chairman of a 
committee to consider the propriety of making an efifort to erect a 
memorial tablet on the Antietam battlefield, was the very picture of health 
and happiness. He was a man of fine physique, and possessed of remark- 
able traits of mind and character, which fitted him in an eminent degree 
for places of honor and usefulness among his fellows. After the close of 
the war he held several responsible positions at different periods in the 
Government service, which he filled with honor and integrity. 

Possessed of rare business qualifications, he was called and chosen to fill 
many positions in business circles and places of trust in his native State, 
and at the time of his death he stood at the head of vast iron and coal 
interests in the town of Roanoke, Virginia, which place he had chosen and 
occupied as his residence for some years past. He at one time filled the 
position of councilman of the borough of Roanoke, and was chosen the 
first president of the new City Council of Roanoke in 1885. 

So genial was his character, and so conspicuous his varied talents, that 
he was chosen in the autumn of 1887 to occupy a position as a legislator in 
the Senate of the great State of Virginia, in a district that strongly 
opposed him in political faith, which position he honorably filled to the 
day of his lamented death. 

Comrade Houston was fatally injured l)y a fall upon the ice as he was 
about to enter the door of his brother's home, in the city of Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania, where he w'as visiting on Saturday, February 16, 1889, from 
which injury he died in a few moments after entering the house. 

His remains, attended by a large concourse of relatives and loving 
friends, were interred in the cemetery at Upper Octoraro Church, Lancaster 
County, Pennsylvania, beside the grave of his mother, on Wednesday, 
February 20, 1889. Comrade Houston was born in Colerain, Lancaster 
County, Pa., July 16, 1843. He was in his forty-sixth year at the date of 
his untimely death. 

Lewis Farra. 

Was mustered into Company A, 124th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, on August 13, 1862. He served faithfully as a good soldier through- 
out the entire term for which he enlisted, and was mustered out with his 
company. May 17, 1863, by reason of expiration of term of enlistment. 

Conirade Farra was a man of genial disposition, and made friends 
wherever he was known. After the war he engaged m his chosen occupa- 
tion of blacksmithing. He was thus engaged when his last sickness, whicli 
resulted in his death, overtook him. 

228 



Wilmington Reunion. 1889. 

He was present at our reunion at Chester, Pennsylvania, last year. He 
always manifested a warm interest in the affairs of our organization. His 
death was the more to be lamented from the fact that he left a widow and 
several children who were dependent upon his efforts for support. 

His death took place May 24. 1889. His remams were accompanied to 
their last resting place in Greenmount Cemetery, West Chester, by a detail 
from General George A. McCall Post, No. 31, Grand Army of the Republic, 
Department of Pennsylvania, of which he was an honored member at the 
time of his death. He was born April 26, 1841, and was in the forty-ninth 
year of his age at the time of his death. 

First Sergeant J.^mes H. Naylor. 
Was mustered into Company G, 124th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, on August 12, 1862. He served faithfully and effectively in his posi- 
tion during the whole period of the regiment's service, and was mustered 
out with his company, on IMay 16, 1863, by reason of expiration of term of 
service. 

Comrade Naylor was a man of uncommon firmness of conviction. When 
his mind was satisfied that a thing was right nothing could move him 
from tliat conviction. He was an exemplary citizen, an honest and indus- 
trious tradesman, and could be depended upon to fulfill any engagement 
that he might enter into. He was for many years a contracting plasterer, 
and was much sought after in that line by those who knew him. 

His death occurred in the city of Philadelphia, on February 5, 1889. His 
remains, attended by a delegation of General George A. McCall Post, No. 
31, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Pennsylvania, were 
interred in Greenmount Cemetery, West Chester, Pennsylvania, on Feb- 
ruary 8, 1889. 

Lieutenant Joseph G. Cummins. 

Was mustered in as first sergeant of Company D, 124th Regiment, 
PeniLsylvania Volunteers, on August 9, 1862, and was promoted to second 
lieutenant of same company, August 16, 1862. He served faithfully and 
effectively with his regiment during the term of its enlistment. While in 
Virginia he acted as quartermaster of the regiment in October and 
November of 1862. He was mustered out with his company on May 16, 
1863, by reason of expiration of term of service. 

Shortly after his return from the army he was appointed Deputy Provost 
Marshal for the counties of Chester and Delaware, which position he held 
with honor until about the beginning of the year 1S65. 

He was postmaster of the borough of Media, Delaware County, under the 
administration of President Andrew Johnson, for about three years. 

Comrade Cummins was a man of genial disposition, of correct business 
habits, and unflinching integrity of character. 

Up to within about one year of his lamented death he was engaged in 
the stationery and news agency business, in the borough of Media. He 

229 



JJ'ihiiiiigtoii f-^ciinioii. iSSc;. 

relinquished business on account of failing health, and died at his home of 
pulmonary consumption, on December i, 1887. He left a widow and four 
children to mourn his loss. His remains, attended by a large concourse of 
relatives and friends, and by the members of Bradbury Post, No. 140, 
Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Pennsylvania, of which he 
was a member, were interred in Media Cemetery, Delaware County, Penn- 
sylvania, on December 4, 1887. 

Joseph S. Evans, 
Robert M. Green, 

Coiinnitfec. 

Committee to Secttre Grottiul for Tablet on Antietam Battle- 
field reported having written to the party owning the desired 
site, but received no reply. The committee, on motion, was 
discharged. 

Nominations of officers being in order, the following were 
elected : 

President, Colonel Joseph W. Hawley. 

Vice-president, Captain Charles W. Roberts. 

Secretary, Charles P. Keech. 

Treasurer, Joel Rollings worth. 

The following places were named for meeting in 1890: 
Oxford, Coatesville, Media, Conshohocken, and West Chester. 

On vote being taken, Oxford was unanimously named. 

Oil motion of Comrade Harry Thompson, each member was 
requested to notify the secretary of his post office address, with 
such other addresses of members of the regiment as they might 
know of, also the date of death and place of burial of all deceased 
members. 

On motion of Robert M. Green, the president was authorised 
to appoint a Tablet Committee. 

The president made the following appointments : 

Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans. 

Historian, C. D. M. Broomhall. 

Committee on Obituary : Joseph S. Evans, Thomas T. Smith, 
Robert M. Green. 

Committee on Tablet : Robert M. Green, Company H ; 
Captain Charles W. Roberts, Company A ; Lieutenant Ralph 
Buckley, Company B ; Lieutenant William C. Dickey, Company 

230 



ll'ihiiington Reunion, jS8(^. 

C ; Colonel Benjamin Brooke, Company D ; Thomas W. Taylor, 
Company E ; Charles P. Keech, Company F ; Captain Edward F. 
James, Company G ; Joseph Hinkson, Company I ; Captain \V. 
W. Stott, Company K. 

At the Banquet. 

At the conclusion of the business session, at 2.30 o'clock, the 
regiment, escorted by Du Pont Post and its fife and drum corps, 
proceeded to the banquet in Institute Hall, where they were 
joined by a host of invited guests, who had been escorted from 
Judge J. Frank Ball's office by the Reception Committee. 

The hall was set with six long tables, five of which extended 
east and west and one north and south. All were handsomely 
decorated, and the food and choice morsels with which they were 
loaded delighted the appetite. 

Captain Edward F. James, chairman of the Reception Com- 
mittee, presided. At his right were Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, 
Judge John M. Broomall, Senator Higgins, George H. Bates, 
Washington Jones, Rev. L. E. Barrett, Judge Ball, Rev. David 
Tully, F. Eden Bach, Rev. Joseph S. Evans, and Captain J. W. 
De Witt. On the left were Governor Biggs, City Auditor Newell, 
Colonel Layfield, Department Commander Ayars, Post Com- 
mander Dufify, Chaplain McCoy, President of Wilmington 
Council, Mr. Farra, and Colonel Norton. Fully 500 people 
attended the bancjuet. 

Remarks oe Joseph Ad. Thompson. 
Joseph Ad. Thompson, editor of the Chester Et'eiiiiig News, 
being called upon, said, substantially: 

''I did not expect to be called on for a speech on this occasion, and I will 
commence by saying I am both snrprised and delighted — surprised that I 
should have the honor of making a little after dinner speech, and delighted 
with the grand ovation you have given the 124th Regiment. It is a rousing 
reception, such as we have never before realized, and you have overwhelmed 
us with your magnificent welcome. It is a genuine, substantial, cordial 
welcome all along the line, and it does credit to your State, your city and 
all your people. 

"We are not used to such marked attentions, and that must excuse us for 
our awkwardness in acknowledging them, but I assure you if you could 
look into our hearts you would discover that you had struck the bull's eye 

231 



U'ihiiiiighni Reunion, iSSg. 

of our gratitude. When it was proposed to hold this reunion in another 
State I thought it was a mistake, for I imagined you would say, as wc 
marched along your streets. "What do these Pennsylvania Dutchmen want 
in Delaware?' and that you would give us a slice of cold shoulder. But 
I was mistaken — very much mistaken, for I find that the farther we go 
from home the better they like us, and on that theory I favor Baltimore 
or Richmond for a future occasion. 

"Why, Mr. Chairman, when we came here this morning, we found all 
Wilmington waiting to receive us, with a big slice of the State as an annex. 
The streets were decorated v>ith National bunting, and between the red and 
white stripes was the warm word of welcome. The maj-or of your beauti- 
ful and prosperous city and the members of the City Council gave us greet- 
ing to the city, and your Governor gave us the whole Commonwealth for 
the day. The Grand Army boys touched elbow and gave fraternal greeting, 
and the people on the sidewalks and at the windows all said 'Welcome !'' 

"If the President of the United States had come here, I do not believe he 
would have had such a reception as we are having. No, sir, we don't 
get such receptions at home. When we meet up there it does not cause a 
ripple. They don't turn out and make it lively as you do. They don't drape 
their houses with bunting as you do. Why, there is nothing there to show 
we are coming — no bunting, not even a shirt-tail waving in the breeze. 

"That scene at the Opera House was a grand one. The whole proceed- 
ings were warm and enthusiastic. Tlie Governor, who sits on your right, 
made a rattling speech, and it did the boys good. I did not believe there 
was so much fire in the old gentleman. .\nd this banquet ! Look at it, 
with its long tables filled with delicacies, and surrounded with more than 
five hundred happy people, provided by the generosity of the citizens and 
served by beautiful girls and comely women. And all this without money 
and without price. 

"1 cannot do justice to the occasion. I am thrice full — lull of astonish- 
ment, of gratitude and dinner. Isn't that a happy trinity? 1 can find no 
words to thank you for this reception. It is beyond cold paragraphs, but 
I do assure you we appreciate it, and thank you, one and all. Some day 
it may be our privilege to make a return for all this, and while we should 
not be able to do so in the princely style you have shown, we will do 
our best to show our remembrance of this pleasant occasion. We '^hall 
leave you with the reflection that you have made this reunion the best 
one in our history. God bless you all." 

Hon. George H. Bates was called tipon, and said: 

jMr. Chairman : It would be much more agreeable for me to hear others 
than to speak myself upon this occasion, but I certainly do not regret the 
opportunity which is afiforded me; to express the pleasure which it has 
given me to meet the members of the 124th Regiment under such propitious 
circumstances. 

232 



W'limington Reunion. 1SS9. 

I hope that Wihnington is entitled to be characterized as a city given to 
hospitahty under any circumstances, but our near neighbors of Chester 
and Delaware Counties are always expected to feel themselves especially 
at home here. We have so many interests in common, and there are so 
many ties which bind our people together, that I hope it is impossible for 
you to feel yourselves strangers here upon this, or any other occasion. 

Inasmuch as no special sentiment has been assigned to me 1 feel at- 
liberty to select my own ; and it is suggested by the unusual oppor- 
tunity which I have had during the past summer to observe the 
working of the system of keeping large standing armies for maintenance 
of the peace. During two months that 1 spent in the capital of the 
German Empire, which claims to have, at this time, the strongest and 
best disciplined army in Europe, my mind was constantly drawn to the 
radical difference between our system and theirs, and 1 am free to say that 
the result of my observation is, that for a Republic the system which 
we have adopted is the one which affords the greatest security for the 
future. Their system is to withdraw from the occupations of peace a 
very large proportion of their able-bodied men to constitute a standing 
army of immense proportions. Our system is to maintain a small standing 
army to serve the purpose, in case of war, of furnishing trained officers 
for the prompt organization of a large volunteer force. This system has 
in this country already been subjected to a severe trial, and you who 
stand before me, most of you veterans of the late war, are living witnesses 
of the successful result of that trial. 

During my recent visit to Berlin we were invited to witness the blessing 
of a flag and its presentation by the Emperor to the regiment of which he 
had been Colonel before he came to the throne. The religious ceremonies 
of blessing the Hag took place in the great hall of the old palace of 
Frederick the Great, at Potsdam, in the presence of all the high officers of 
the German Army and Navy and also of the royal family. After the 
prayer and an address by the clergyman we proceeded to the parade 
grounds where, awaiting the Emperor, the regiment stood at parade rest 
three thousand strong. 

There was present, as a spectator, an enthusiastic American, who was 
asked by one of the Germans present if we had anything like those splendid 
troops in America. Determined not to lower the American flag on that 
occasion, he responded: "Oh, yes: we have millions of them, and after the 
late war I saw them take nearly a week to pass in review." This boastful 
remark that we have in this country an army of millions was not, after all. 
so far from the truth. By virtue of our admirable militia system, which, 
owing largely to the interest taken in it by our present Governor, has been 
developed to most excellent results in our own State, we have always 
available an immense body of men which the quickness of resource of our 
people could, in a week or a month, transform into an efficient and well- 
disciplined army, to which I would not hesitate to trust the defense of our 
flag either against sedition at home or aggression from abroad. The 



W'ihu'ni'^toii Reunion, jS8q. 

patriotic spirit and the natural capacity to deal with emergencies which 
have always distinguished our people, will be found in the future, as in the 
past, equal to any and every demand vvhich may be made upon them. It 
is because of the necessity of our relying upon these characteristics that I 
welcome the recurrence of occasions like this, the tendency of which is to 
encourage the maintenance of these organizations, to which we may be 
obliged to look at any time for protection and defense. 

Let us then look with indifference upon the mailed hosts which Europe 
requires to keep the peace, and for ourselves continue to rely upon the citi- 
zen-soldier, in time of peace ; engaged in the arts of peace and contributing 
to the aggregate wealth of the nation, but ready, at any moment, to respond 
to a call to arms from the government, and to rally to the defense of the 
flag of his country. 

Captain Albert ]\Iagnin, of the 99th Pennsylvania A'olunteers, 
a visitor with the 124th Regiment, was called on, and spoke 
in part as follows : 

Mr. Toastmaster and Comrades: The hour is late for me to attempt a 
speech. We are getting too old to stay out very late at nights. The time 
was when we were expected to stay up late and get up very early in the 
morning, or be routed out by a shell or solid shot. However, those days are 
over, and their memory alone remains ; and in the retrospect we believe 
the North is better for the war. The North needed the discipline of vic- 
tory. The South is better for it; the South needed the discipline of 
defeat. We have tears for the fallen and for those who mourn them still ; 
and we have sympathy for our comrades who go through life suffering 
and under disadvantages on account of their wounds. No man except he 
who has been compelled to undergo it can imagine what it is to have lost 
a limb; and my old comrade Captain Ayars, your Department Commander, 
with nhom I served four years during the war, said to me that there is 
scarcely a moment but that he suffers pain from the loss of his arm, and 
I have to say that when the Department of Delaware, Grand Army of 
the Republic, elected and honored Captain Peter B. Ayars by making him 
their Department Commander, they honored themselves, because he came 
from the ranks, from the boys, won his way up and secured his promotion 
by courage and bravery on almost every battlefield in which the Army 
of the Potomac was engaged. I am glad to be with you to-day to witness 
the loyalty of your people, their warm greeting, and to hear words of 
encouragement spoken everywhere. It is a kind of reunion we do not often 
witiTess, and makes us feel good to know that we are yet remembered and 
appreciated. The men who bore the brunt of the war for the preservation 
of the Union and lifted the ''Old Flag" above the clouds, so that the 
nations of the earth could see and be impressed with the truth that we 
wer? a nation of giants and could govern ourselves, sent a ray of light and 
a benediction to every enslaved people on the face of the earth : and I 

2.14 



Jl'iliiiiiigton RcHiiuni, i88g. 

believe this Republic that we have saved will yet attend the funeral of 
every monarchy, and the burial of every governmental despotism under the 
skies of God. 

Governor Biggs being called on, made a most humorous and 
happy speech. It is impossible to give a correct rendition of it. 
It was replete with wit and humor, happy hits, and timely his- 
torical references. The Governor ably defended himself from 
the charge made by Chaplain AlcCoy, in the Opera House, of 
a want of gallantry to the ladies. 

Department Commander Ayars offered the following resolu- 
tion : 

Rcsok'cd, That our thanks and three rousing cheers be tendered to 
Captain Edward F. James, the chairman of the Comm.ttee of Arrangements. 

The resolution was unanimously adopted, and the cheers and 
a "tiger" given with a will. 

In response to a chorus of calls, Captain James responded : 

"Comrades : If 'brevity is the soul of wit,' my speech will lie witty. I 
thank you most heartily for the words of commendation which you have so 
generously expressed in the resolution just passed. I thank you for the 
endorsement of those cheers, and particularly the 'tiger.' 

"If I were to attempt to give expressions to my feelings, I could do no 
better than to echo an expression Colonel Hawiey made use of in my 
presence this morning: 'This is one of the proudest and happiest days of 
my life.' 

"I will not attempt to deny that I have labored hard and made some 
sacrifices to render this reception a success. But it has been a labor of 
love. I am repaid a thousandfold by the expressions of gratitude and 
pleasure which have met me on every side from my comrades of the 124th. 

"But let me not magnify my office or my service. I have been but a 
small factor in the success which has crowned the labors incident to this 
day. 

"To DuPont Post as a body, whose membership so generously and 
enthusiastically entered into and supported every effort put forth to make 
this reception worthy of the occasion, to my colleagues of the Committee 
of Arrangements, every one of whom worked with a will ; to our citizens 
who so patriotically and cheerfully furnished the 'sinews of war;' to the 
merchants and residents of the line^ of parade, who so profusely and 
elegantly decorated their homes and places of business: to His Excellency, 
Governor Biggs, Senator Higgins. Hon. George H. Bates, and His Honor, 
Mayor Harrington, and the members of our City Council, and tc Prof. 

235 



iriliiiiiigto>i Reunion, 1S89. 

Dushane Cloward and his quartette and accompanist, who have aided us 
so greatly in honoring our guests ; to the press of our city, who have lent 
their aid in every way to arouse public interest, to the proprietor of the 
Opera House, and last, but far from least. ABOVE ALL, to the Ladies' 
Aid Society of DuPont Post for this elegant repast, which appeals as 
nothing else does or can appeal to the hearts of men, are we indebted. To 
these so named belong the honor of the day — not to your chairman. 

"But, comrades and gentlemen, the hour is late. Many of our guests 
have been compelled to leave, and the last of my duties as chairman 
devolves upon me — to adjourn these festivities. It is with a feeling of 
regret that I do so. In spite of the gladsome spirit which has prevailed all 
day, there has been in my heart an undercurrent of sadness. As I sat on 
the stage of the Opera House and looked in the faces of my comrades of 
the 124th, I was thankful so many were spared and permitted to be with us. 
But the thought would shape itself, "How long will these reunions last?" 
Our ranks are rapidly thinning. Life has gone hard with many of us. 
The exposures incident to a soldier's life left seeds of disease which have 
served to shorten the lives of many. 

"Before many more years shall roll aw-ay the battle of life will be fought 
out, and it will be 'taps' and 'Lights out' for us all. But reunions such as 
we have enjoyed to-day will make the journey more pleasant, and the spirit 
of comradeship will lighten many a load and assuage many a sorrow. 

"Again thanking you for the honor you have done me, I declare this 
meeting adjourned." 

After spending some time in social intercourse and leave- 
takings, we took up our line of march for our homes, with grateful 
feelings for the attentions wdiich had been showered upon us and 
the hospitalities we had received. 

The day will always be a bright spot in the memory of every 
member of the Association who was permitted to be present. 




2;,6 



OXFORD REUNION. 

(Sixth Aiiiiiial.J 
September 17, 1890. 

Upon arrival at the station, the regiment was met by the 
Oxford Band and Thompson Post, G. A. R., who acted as escort. 
The survivors of the regiment were followed by Du Pont Post, 
No. 2. and Phil Sheridan Post, No. 23, G. A. R., Wilmington, 
Del., Sons of Veterans Camp, No. 247, and the Nottingham 
Band, K. G. E., of Oxford. The line marched to the fair 
grounds, and the reunion was held in the grand-stand. 

Dr. J. Willis Huston, of Oxford, chairman of Committee on 
Reception, spoke as follows: 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Soldiers : As we stand and gaze into 
each other's faces to-day, surrounded as we are by pleasant, peaceful 
scenery, happiness depicted on every countenance, the knowledge that we 
are at peace with all mankind, no entangling alliances nor threatening 
calamities overhanging us, the angel of peace hovering over our altar with 
outspread wings, under such environments, how like a frenzied dream 
reappear through memories the scenes of this day, this hour, twenty-eight 
years ago. But we know it is not a dream ; the traces of the havoc of war 
have only been erased by the onward march of time. Twenty-eight years 
ago, at this hour, many of the fathers, brothers, husbands and sons of this 
community were standing shoulder to shoulder upon the sanguinary field 
of Antietam, the recipients of a soldier's baptism with their own blood, 
enveloped with a smoky darkness their vision could not penetrate, deafened 
by the roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry, belching forth their 
cyclones of shot and shell, carrying death and mutilation to our fast deci- 
mating ranks, and sorrow, anguish and despair to dear ones at home, many 
of whom were assembled in their churches, their chapels, others in their 
closets, all mvoking and supplicating the God of battles for the success of 
om- cause and the safety of their loved ones. 

"To-day fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, 
have assembled here to extend a glad welcome to the survivors of the 
124th Regiment, P. V., in recognition of the deep debt of gratitude we 
owe them. And at the same time we hold out the olive branch of peace 
to our former erring brethren of Seceshia and gladly welcome them back 
into the fold of a common political brotherhood. We meet to-day not to 
recall memories that will revive buried animosities, bitter passions or sec- 
tional issues — but especially to do honor to these brave soldiers, who when 
the unity, integrity and prosperity of our country were threatened ; when 

237 



Oxford Reunion, 1890. 

diplomacy had failed to heal the widening breach; when naught but the 
arbitrament of arms could stay the progress of the heresy of secession, 
then you left the plow in the furrow, the hammer on the anvil, the jack 
plane on the bench, leaving everything loved behind you, and mustering 
in your mighty strength went forth to offer your lives as sacrifices, that 
the noblest and best government on the face of God's green earth should 
not perish, but be preserved and transmitted to generations yet unborn. 
It is not my province to speak for the citizens of Oxford and vicinity in 
extendmg our welcome to the survivors of the 124th Regiment of Pennsyl- 
vania Vohmteers, and their distinguished guests. That honor and pleasure 
has been delegated to those equal to this or any other occasion. But for 
myself I cannot forego the opportunity of tendering to you my individual, 
heartfelt, welcome greeting, to this town of my adoption. Having wit- 
nessed the heroism displayed by you on the blood-drenched field of 
Antietam, I would be recreant to the obligations of manhood did I fail on 
this occasion to bear testimony thereto. Bound to many of your members' 
by all the ties that bind society I cannot but be proud of the records for 
bravery of your Lynch, Coates, Webster, Broomall, Worth, Baker, 
Martin, Fleming, Houston and others, former comrades in times of peace. 
How well the regiment of v.hich you formed a part deserved the compli- 
mentary report of General McClellan can only be appreciated by those who 
shared the dangers and braved the terrors of the historic cornfield. 

[Note bv Editor: Page 202, of McClellan's report, says: 
"The 124th Pennsylvania Vokinteers were pitshed across the 
turnpike into the woods beyond J. Miller's hottse, with orders to 
hold the position as long as possible."] 

But a few days in the service your were hurriedly thrown into the breach 
made in our lines by the retiring of that superb body of troops, the Penn- 
sylvania Reserves. Nobly you performed the duty assigned you ; not a man 
hesitated or faltered, but amid a blighting storm of iron hail and leaden 
rain at fearful cost of life and limb in which your gallant colonel and 
many others were stricken down, some to rise no more on earth, you 
advanced and not only recovered your former lines, but placed your 
standard where veteran troops had failed to penetrate. This position you 
held with Spartan bravery until relieved by the Philadelphia Brigade. It 
is no disparagement of your bravery to say the Philadelphians (many of 
whom were Chester and Delaware County boys and some were Blue Hen's 
Chickens) charged onward in your advance and broke the Confederate 
lines, thus deciding the fate of the day on the right. These troops were 
the veterans of the Peninsula, the heroes of the Seven Days' Fight, the 
flower of the chivalry of the Army of the Potomac, and at Gettysburg the 
victors of the Bloody Angle and the Devil's Den. Yet their brilliant charge 
at Antietam might not have been a success had not a handful of heroic 

238 



Oxford Rcniuun, iSgo. 

boys detached from the 124th, and led by the brave and lamented late 
Colonel D. F. Houston, silenced the Confederate battery which was doing 
such fearful execution in checking any attempt made to advance across the 
cornfield. To these ])rave fellows much of the credit of the Confederate 
repulse is due, and historians say, it was here that the fate of the day 
was decided. Doubtless some of these brave fellows are with us to-day. 
But I am transcending mj- limit, as I am neither biographer nor historian 
for this occasion, only directed to organize the meeting." 

Dr. Huston then introduced Rev. W. R. Bingham, of Oxford, 
who said, in part : 

"We welcome you, dear comrades, to-day to our homes and our hearts. 
Among men I know, and those I do not know, I know not where to find 
men better than those we welcome here to-day. Furrows mark your faces, 
many a winter's blast has left its mark, and many a summer's heat has 
bronzed your faces. But I do not look for beauty, but for the brave men 
who stood and fought while the cowards ran. Oxford stands to-day where 
she ought always to stand — first in welcoming the brave. I am sorry I am 
not a soldier, but if I was, all the money in this world would not buy 
the name." 

Mr. Bing-ham went on to describe the battles of Antietam, 
Chancellorsville, and others, and pictured to the soldiers their 
bravery and the hardships they had to endure. He concluded 
by denouncing the man who is not the friend of the soldier, as 
what this nation's got to-day was bought by blood. He also spoke 
at some length on "pensions," and said there was talk about some 
crowding in and trying to get pensions who were not entitled to 
them, and said that it would be better to pay ten that were not 
soldiers than to cheat one that was a soldier. 

"In order to give these brave men pensions they should tax my property 
and every one's else, but that they should succeed, as it is to them we owe 
our present prosperity." 

Colonel Hawley, president of the Association, was next intro- 
duced, and spoke as follows : 

"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : It is a task beyond my power to 
make a proper reply to the eloquent address of welcome of Rev. Mr. 
Bingham, to which you have just listened, but I can at least say that I 

239 



Oxford Rcuidou, iSgo 

speak the sentiment of the T24th Regiment when 1 say we most heartily 
appreciate this royal welcome from the citizens of Oxford. 1 will not be 
so selfish, however, as to claim all the honor for the 124th Regiment and 
the members of the Grand Army with us to-day, but will accept it as the 
loyal feeling of these good people towards each and every one who 
wore the Blue, whether he be the humblest soldier in the ranks or the ablest 
general in command. 

"Twenty-eight years have passed by since Company C left this borough. 
Those years have changed us from boys to old men ; death has also reduced 
our number, and this year we mourn the loss of Lieutenant Crowl among 
those who have been mustered into the Grand Army above. 

"Business duties have so scattered us that the numbers at our annual 
gatherings is small, but the letters received from the absent ones show they 
are with us in spirit if not in person. 

"While we had our share of the sufferings and privations incident to 
camp life, still we had an equal share with others of the pleasures, and 
if you could but listen to the stories that will be told after the adjourn- 
ment of this meeting you would imagine army life to be one continued 
picnic, time having worn off the rough places and preserved only the bright 
spots. 

"It is useless for me to say that we soldiers enjoy these reunions, but 
when our friends give us such a welcome as we received last year at Wil- 
mington, and this to-day by our friends of Oxford, these days become the 
brightest of our lives. 

"Last year we were made to regret we had not enlisted as soldiers from 
Delaware, so kind was that little State to us on September 17, 1889; but 
now we come back, and are glad to claim Chester County as the home 
of our birth, and hope she may ever be proud of the soldiers who fought 
under her banners. As there is mucn in store for you I will no longer 
detain you, but will close as I began by thanking you all for your kind 
remembrances of our earnest endeavors to serve you in the face of the 
enemies of our country." 

Colonel Hawley introduced Rev. Joseph S. Evans, Chaplain 
of the regiment, who spoke as follows : 

"Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Oxford and vicinity : As the years 
roll by, the hearts and souls of the old soldiers become more and more 
drawn toward each other. 

"There is a strange, mysterious influence, I cannot understand or explain 
it, that tends to bind more closely together, in true manly affection, those 
who have shared the toils, trials and dangers of soldier life, such as we 
experienced in the late war. And hence it is that we look forward to these 
annual reunions with deep interest and pleasant anticipations. For sev- 
eral years past we have had with each recurring year, a warm, pressing 
invitation to come to Oxford. At our meeting in Wilmington, Delaware, 

240 



Oxfuid Reunion, i8go. 

last year, where we enjoyed such a generous and royal reception and 
ovation, we resolved to hold our next annual reunion at Oxford. 

"To-day we are here. And on behalf of our president, Colonel Hawley, 
and in the name of tlie menil)ers of the 1241)1 Regimenl, I extend to you our 
most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the magnificent welcome and recep- 
tion which we have received at your hands. As we passed through your 
streets on our way to this place and witnessed the manifestation of cor- 
dial welcome in the flags and i)unting decorating your dwellings and 
places of business, and the smiling faces of the ladies and children upon 
the verandas and porticos greeting us at every step of our march, we 
could but feel that we were having a magnificent welcome. 

"We have looked forward to this meeting to-day, with very pleasant 
anticipations ; we have not been disappointed. We are more than gratified. 
As each year rolls by as we are on our onward march to the great eternity 
before us. some of our comrades are mustered out of our ranks by the 
hand of death. During the past year but two of our number, so far as I 
am aware, have been taken away. They were both members of Company 
C, and both formerly residents of Oxford and vicinity ; I allude to Lieu- 
tenant Levi Crowd and comrade Lambdbn F. Thomas. While we mourn 
the loss of these comrades to-day, yet we are here, inspired by the fond 
anticipations of the past year, the inspiring words of Dr. Huston and Dr. 
Bingham, in their kindly and patriotic allusions to the old soldiers, and 
to the survivors of the 124th Regiment, in particular, as well as by the 
manifestations of the citizens to which I have already referred, to have a 
pleasant and joyous reunion, and know that we shall not be disappointed. 
Again 1 thank you for this grand reception." 

After an elaborate banqtiet, prepared by the Women's Christian 
Temperance Leagne, was partaken of, addresses were made by 
Hon. Theodore K. Stnbbs, Peter B. Ayars. Captain Norris L. 
Yarnall, Governor Benjamin T. Biggs, of Delaware, Colonel 
John Wainwright. John A. M. Passmore, of George G. Meade 
Post, No. I, of Philadelphia, and George W. Channell. superin- 
tendent of schools at Pine Grove. 

At the conclusion of the speeches, the members of the .\ssocia- 
tion assembled in business meeting, and were called to order by 
President Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, and prayer was offered 
by Chaplain Rev. Joseph S. Evans. Present. 180 comrades. The 
officers of the preceding year were re-elected. A vote of thanks 
was extended to the ladies, comrades, and citizens of Oxford for 
the magnificent welcome and reception received at their hands. 



16 241 



COATESVILLE REUNION. 

(Sci'ciitli Annual.) 
September 17, 1891. 

The day was a perfect one, not a cloud to mar the pleasure of 
the survivors and friends who assembled there. 

The parade was composed of the Society of the 124th, 
Brandywine Post, No. 54, G. A. R., Daniel C. Reed Post, No. 
599 (colored), Camp No. 172, Sons of Veterans, and a delegation 
of the P. O. S. of A. 

The meeting was called to order in the Opera House, and • 
Rev. M. M. Finch, Camden, N. J., offered prayer. Ex-Burgess 
Thomas H. Windle welcomed us to the borough and its hospi- 
talities. This was responded to by Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, 
president of the regimental association. Hon. Harriot Brosius, 
of the 97th Pennsylvania A'olunteers, in a stirring speech recalled 
some of the trials, hardships and pleasures of army life. Chaplain 
Evans related some of his experiences among the dying, dead 
and wounded. 

Rev. M. M. Finch, on behalf of T. E. Frame, presented 
Captain Norris L. Yarnall with a framed photograph of the 
members of Ricketts' Battery, to the aid of which he took his 
com])any at the 1 battle of Antietam. 

A sumptuous dinner was served, under the auspices of the 
Women's Relief Corps of Brandywine Post. G. A. R. 

After the appetites of the comrades were appeased, the business 
meeting of the Association was called to order by President 
Colonel Joseph W. Hawle3^ and prayer w^as oiTered by Chaplain 
Rev. Joseph S. Evans. The officers of the preceding year were 
re-elected. A resolution was tendered the citizens of Coatesville 
for the hospitable treatment accorded us. It was resolved to 
hold the next reunion in picnic style, the place to be selected by 
the Executive Committee. 



242 



ELWYN REUNION. 

(Eighth Annual.) 
September 17, 1892. 

The survivors to the number of about 150 met and renewed 
old acquaintances. 

The meeting was called to order by President Colonel Joseph 
W. Hawley, and prayer was offered by Chaplain Rev. Joseph S. 
Evans. The officers of the Association were re-elected. 

A Funeral Committee, consisting- of Colonel Joseph W. 
Hawley. Colonel Benjamin Brooke, Robert M. Green, Charles 
P. Keech, Gilpin B. Underwood, was appointed. The dutv of 
the committee, to provide a fund for and attend to the proper 
burial of any member of the Association. A feature of the 
occasion was the excellent music by the band of 22 boys from the 
Glen Mills School. 

After the banquet had been partaken of, speeches were made 
by Colonel Hawley, Chaplain Evans, John L. Grim, Captain 
Norris L. Yarnall, Jesse M. Baker, and others. 

The following resolution was unanimously adopted : 

Elwyn, Sept. 17. 1892. 
Resolved, That we, in our Regimental Association meeting held this day, 
extend our heartfeU sympathy to our aged and honored comrade. Captain 
Townscnd, of Company E, who, because of severe affliction, is deprived 
from meeting with us. 

Resolved, That the survivors assembled this day at Ehvyn. Delaware 
County. Pa., hereby express our appreciation of the services of the boys' 
band, from the Glen jNIills School for the appropriate music discoursed by 
them, and that we extend to the band and their courteous leader our sincere 
thanks. 

A resolution was also adopted thanking Secretary Charles P. 
Keech for his efficient work. 

It was decided to hold the next reunion at \\'est Chester, Pa., 
on Saturday. September 16, 1893. 



243 



WILLIA.M PUSEY WEST. 




He was born February 6th, 
1840, on a farm now adjoining 
the Borough of Upland, in Dela- 
ware County, Pennsylvania. He 
was the son of William and Martha 
(Button) West. His grandfather 
was Samuel West, his great grand- 
father, William West ; his great 
great grandfather, John West, 
called by the descendants, the emi- 
grant, who came from England in 
1715; the wife of John was Sarah 
Pearson, and one of their sons was 
Benjamin West, the celebrated 
painter, he being a younger brother 
of William West, who was the 
great grandfather of the present 
William Pusey West. The house 
in which Comrade West was born 
was built in 1696, and it and the 
adjoining farm were purchased by 
William W^est (his great grandfather), and it remained in pos- 
session of the family until a few years ago. 

Comrade West enlisted in Company H, of the 124th, and 
was promoted to Commissary-Sergeant of the regiment Sep- 
tember 1st, 1862, and served in that capacity until the regiment 
was mustered out ; he re-enlisted in the 29th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teer Militia and served as Commissary-Sergeant until the regi- 
ment was dischargea. 

Comrade West has in his possession a gold medal that was 
presented to Benjamin West (the painter) when he was presi- 
dent of the Royal Academ}- in London. The medal is to 
descend to the oldest son (by name of West) in each succeeding 
generation. 



1862. 



244 



WEST CHESTER REUNION. 

(N^iiith Ainuuil.) 
September 16, 1893. 



One hundred and fourteen survivors of the regiment assemhled 
at the Tattersah Liuilding-, accompanied hy a band of 29 musicians 
from the school at Glen Mills. 

Colonel Joseph W. Hawley called the meeting to order, and 
Chaplain Rev. Joseph S. Evans led in prayer. In the course of 
the prater he referred to the storm which the regnnent passed 
through many years ago. His plea that all might be ready when 
mustered out by death, to enter the army of the redeemed in 
heaven, was pathetic and touching. 

The Obituary Committee reported 24 deaths that had not been 
previously reported, as follows : 



Thompson L. Alexander 
George B. Shillingford 
William S. Brewster 
Valentine Saurmilch 
John S. Sibley 
W. Wayne Vodges 
George S. Benson 
Henry M. Worth 
Captain W. W. Stott 
Joseph Hughes 
Elmer Edwards 
J. J. Gibbons 



James Trainer 
J. Rowland Cochran 
Plummer E. Walker 
Jacob H. Way 
Andrew J. Haws 
J. Bedlow 
J. Albert ^liller 
Jerome Byer 
Richard T. Cowan 
Harry C. Valentine 
William Rogers 
James B. Gordon 



It was decided that the next reunion be held at Antietam, and 
Colonel Hawlev named the following committee to take charge 



of the arrangements. 



Captain Charles W. Roberts 
Th(imas W. Taylor 
Thomas T. Smith 



Joseph Showalter 
Robert Woodside 
Lieutenant William C. Dickey 



Dimier was served at the Eagle Hotel, and the thanks of the 
Association was extended to the superintendent of the Glen Mills 
School and to the leader of the band from that institution. 



247 




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AXTIETAM REUNION. 

(Tciit/i Annual.) 
September 17, 1894. 

On Saturday morning, the survivors of the regiment to the 
numljer of 86, many of them accompanied by friends and 
members of their families, started on the pilgrimage to Antietam. 
Harper's Ferry was reached at 1.30 P. M.. and the party was 
driven through the picturesque old town to th.e Hill Top House. 

Colonel Hawley was then called upon, and spoke as follows : 

Comrades : It seems but a few months since we were marching over 
these grounds with an enemy in front of us, watching every movement 
we made, liut in those months what changes have taken place. To-day 
we are tendered a cordial wek'ome, and freely roam over tliis beautiful 
country, accompanied l)y our wives and chikiren. No bristling guns 
appear on the surrounding heights as they did then. No guard stands at 
the pontoon bridge to examine our pa.sses. No provost guard warns us 
to return to our regiment. The railroad trains no longer carry muni- 
tions of war, but are loaded with the product of these fertile valleys. 
Nice, fresh bread and ] nicy chicken have taken the place of hard tack 
and salt pork on our tables, and the old coffee kettle no longer hangs on 
the pole. But comrades, the intervening years have also worked 
changes in us ; then we were all boys together, the hardships were but 
play to us. Now. however, picket duty on stormy nights, long marches 
and short rations and the excitement of the battle would soon place us 
where the bugle call would not be heard. I need not tell you what 
pleasure it affords me to meet with you on these historic grounds. It 
was not my privilege to accompany you here from .\ntietam. Owing to 
the good marksmanship of one of General Lee's followers, I was 
requested early in that engagement to retrace my steps to Pennsylvania, 
taking a bullet in my neck as a souvenir. You were here when I rejoined 
the regiment, and the reception you gave me will ever stand as one of the 
bright spots on my journey through life. It seems I can still hear the echo 
of your cheers given as you marched past me that evening after dress 
parade. Our visit to Loudon valley and the battlefield of Antietam will 
recall many incidents of pleasure and sadness. Our Commanders, Gen- 
erals Slocum, Geary and Kane, together with Lieutenant-Colonel Litzen- 
berg, Major Haldeman, and many of our comrades, have answered the 
last roll-call, and they will be niissed from our company, but w'ill still have a 
pleasant place in our memory. A few years more and we will join them. 

Brief remarks were made by Chaplain Evans, Colonel l^)enia- 

min Brooke, Robert M. Green, and Captain Charles W. Roberts. 

249 



Aiitictam Rciiiii.ni, 1SQ4. 

On Sunday morning- a pleasant drive was had to Loudon 
\'alley. where the 124th was encamped for several months in the 
fall of 1862. 

After dinner, some visited Maryland Heights and some drove 
to Charlestown. where John Brown and several of his followers 
were hung. In the evening religious services were conducted 
on one of the porches of the hotel. Chaplain Evans preached 
very acceptably from First Timothy. 6:12. "Fight the good fight 
of Faith." 

Early Monday morning preparations were made for the trip 
to Antietam battlefield. Carriages conveyed the party to the 
railroad station, where the special train was in waiting. Arriving 
at Keedysville, 12 miles from Harper's Ferry, the delegation was 
loaded into about 30 wagons and driven to the Miller farm, 
where, in the cornfield, the 124th received its first experience in 
actual warfare on that memorable day. the 17th of Septeniber, 
1862, and where Colonel Joseph W. Hawdey, the commander of 
the regiment, was severelv wounded. 

The business meeting of the Association was held near the 
spot where the colonel was wounded, the thirty-second anniver- 
sary of the regiment's baptism of fire. Chaplain Evans ofifered 
praver, and the officers of the preceding year were re-elected. 
On motion, it was decided to place the monumental tablet of 
the regiment as near as possible to the spot where Colonel 
Hawley was w'ounded. The thanks of the Association were 
given Colonel Benjamin Brooke for the excellent manner in 
which he had perfected arrangements for the comfort of the 
excursionists. The committee in charge, in addition to Colonel 
Brooke, was Captain Charles W. Roberts, Robert 'SL Green, 
Joseph Showalter, Robert G. \A'oodside, Lieutenant William C. 
Dickey, and Thomas T. Smith. 

Re-entering the carriages after the business meeting, we 
visited the old Dunker Church, Bloody Lane, Sharpsburg, 
Burnside's Bridge, National Cemetery, General McClellan's 
Headquarters, and back to Keedysville, where dinner was served. 

At 5 P. M., the special train steamed homeward, reaching 
Washington at 7 V. Al., and Philadelphia at 11 P. ^M. 



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VALLEY FORGE REUNION. 

(Blci'cnt/i Amnial.) 
September 17, 1895. 

Upon arrival of the train at \'alley Forge, there was a jolly 
season of handshaking and enthusiastic greeting between those 
who had come on the train and those who had arrived in car- 
riages. Proceeding to Washington's Headquarters, the assem- 
blage was called to order by President Colonel Joseph W. 
Hawley, after which Lieutenant Harry Wells, of the Committee 
on Arrangements, introduced General B. F. Fisher, of \'alley 
Forge, who delivered an address of welcome, as follows : 

Comrades: It is with unfeigned pleasure that I arise in obedience to the 
instructions of the citizens in this vicinity to extend to the surviving vet- 
erans of the 124th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers and their friends 
a most cordial welcome to Valley Forge. These grounds, hallowed as they 
are by the sufferings, endurance and devotion of that little army of 
patriots that was encamped upon these surrounding hills in the winter of 
1777 and 1778 may add but little zest to the spirit of devotion and loyalty 
to the Government and the flag of our country w hich has marked your past 
history. But there is no spot that can by its memories and past associa- 
tions give purer inspiration to the American soldier; and we feel that' 
even your loyalty to the Flag and the Union may receive new strength 
and fervor by being here. You by your valor aided to preserve to your 
children to remotest ages the Constitutional liberty, to lay the foundations 
of which these hills bear silent witness to the sacrifices of your fore- 
fathers. Lexington and Bunker Hill witnessed the first struggle, and 
Yorktown the final triumph of the revolution, but it was at Valley Forge 
that the indomitable will of the American people to do and to sufi^er in 
the cause of lii)erty left its impress for all ages. Yonder little stone-house, 
where convened most important councils of war, presided over by the 
immortal Washington, and yonder hills, upon which the army of patriot? 
lay half-fed, half-clad, poorly armed, and yet a menace to the whole British 
army during the long terrible Winter, should be held sacred by every 
American citizen. Though these heights are but bleak and bare, unmarked 
by monument or care, though they rear their fronts heavenward in 
silence and are mute, they teach more eloquent and purer lessons of 
patriotism than do the well-rounded phrases of the Governor of the State 
in vetoing the few paltry dollars voted by the Legislature for the pur- 
chase, marking and preservation of these scenes around which cling the 
tenderest and hdliest memories of the days of the Revolution. 

25.3 



I'allcy I'orgc Rcuhinii. iS(j^^. 

That Revolution gave to us freedcni tnni a fore gn yoke and the consti- 
tutional blessings and li])erties enjoyed. Think of it, soldiers of the 
Republic — the amounts reciuired to assure ownership and preservation to 
the people of the entire site occupied by the Continental Army at Valley 
Forge would not exceed a charge of two cuts a person cf the population 
of the State. Yonder lines of rifle pits with their earth works at salient 
points may in themselves present little of value to the State — but what 
a wealth of interesting associations cluster around them. Every foot of 
them was familiar to the presence and care of the grand heroes of the 
heroic army that built them. Could they speak, what thrilling tales of 
comradeship, of earnest soul-stirring words and acts, of great cause of 
country, they could unfold. Who can describe or measure the character 
and strength of the patriotism of the men who day in and day out — 
during those long weary months — manned those defensive works await- 
ing attack by the flower of the English army lying in Philadelphia? But 
save to the people, to the future generations of the State those reminders 
of the past, and they will be an inspiration to the highest, the noble?t and 
truest citizenship. Student, poet, orator and statesman will all gather 
from the sermons taught by these rude monuments of earth and stone. 

What a wealth of the highest patriotic sentiments is exhibited upon the 
field of Gettysburg. What the wonderful bravery, the fierce charges, the 
gallant resistances of attack, the personal courage and deadly blows to the 
enemy at Gettysburg effected for the war against rebellion, the exhibi- 
tion of patience, of endurance, of tenacity of purpose and undaunted 
American manhood and courage at Valley Forge in the face of all that 
tried men's souls, did for the cause of the Revolution. The poverty of the 
one age left these scenes as the Continental army left them when it. 
marched forth in the summer of 1778 to drive the enemy from the land. 
The wealth of the later age has made the fields of Gettysburg a spot of art. 
No truer exemplars of the changed condition of 117 years ago now could 
be found than the Valley Forge hills and Gettysburg. The men who trod 
these hills are gone. There remains no regimental organization to rear 
monuments and to inscribe thereon the virtues of the departed. Rut 
they have left to us the rich heritage of a Government estaldished by their 
sacrifice and by their wisdom which yields to all law-abiding citizens the 
fullest opportunities for individual happiness and prosperity. In the 
enjoyment of the rich fruits of their valor, their sufferings and their 
wisdom, this age cannot longer withhold to make of this place an imperish- 
able monument to their virtue, their valor and their patriotism. To these 
scenes, comrades and veterans of the 124th Regiment, you are welcome, 
and I can assure you the pure air. pure water and the good cheer that 
^"alley Forge cari now furnish, will make your stay one more pleasant 
to be rcmemliered than was that of your prototypes 117 years ago." 

After the address. Chaplain Rev. Joseph S. Evans offered a 
fervent and approi)riate prayer. The Inisiness nieetins^ of the 

254 



I'allcy Forge Rninion, i8gj. 

Association was called to order by Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, 
president, who delivered an address, as follows : 

Comrades, survixing members of the 124th Regiment, P. V. : I con- 
gratulate you that so many of us are in the providence of God permitted 
to celebrate the thirty-third anniversary of the Battle oi Antietam. 

We meet on historic grounds, and it seems well that we who fought to 
perpetuate the Union established by those who suffered here so terribly 
over a century ago, should meet on these hallowed grounds and renew 
our vows that this country one and undivided should remain as our 
inheritance to our children. 

More than a century has passed since our Revolutionary ancestors 
camped en these grounds, and it seems a long time, but when we recall 
that thirty-three years have passed since the Battle of Antietam it reminds 
us that we are no longer boys, and should the bugle call us to assemble 
on the battlefield, I fear we would move with less enthusiasm than in 
1862, and I even doubt whether Uncle Sam's rations of hard-tack, pork 
and beans would be eaten with equal relish; but increasing years should 
impress upon us the necessity of guarding the treasures secured by those 
who suffered here and for which the soldiers of the Rebellion fought so 
bravely. 

I can say nothing more appropriate than to quote from an address of 
Abraham Lincoln, delivered at Gettysburg, when he said: "The brave men 
who died here dedicated these grounds more sacredly than any words 
of ours; and it remains for us to dedicate ourselves by the inspiration of 
their example to the work that still lies before us." So let us to-day carry 
from this place of tender and thrilling memories a new devotion to all 
that pertains to an enlightened patriotii-m and an intelligent faith. 

The officers of the preceding year were re-elected. The 
following" named committee was appointed to make the necessary 
arrangements to hold the next reunion at Chancellorsville : 
Colonel Benjamin Brooke, Robert M. Green, Colonel Joseph W. 
Hawley, Lieutenant \\'illiam C. Dickey, Charles P. Keech, John 
Pugh, Thomas T. Smith, Joseph T. Pierce. 

Dinner was served at several large tables on the lawn of 
Washington Inn, 286 participating. A committee was appointed 
to memorialize the next State Legislature for an appropriation 
to procure suitable mon.umental tablets to he placed on the 
Antietam battlefield in honor of the Pennsylvania regiments 
which fought at Antietam but did not participate in the strtiggle 
at Gettysburg. The committee was as follows : John W. 
Marshall. Colonel Jose]^h \\'. Hawley, Benjamin Brooke, \\'illiam 
B. Broomall. 

255 



I'allcy Forge Reunion, iSq^. 

Washington's Headquarters. 

This is decidedly the most interesting place at Valley Forge. 
This old pointed stone house was built by John Potts, in 1759, 
■ and at the time it was occupied by Washington, belonged to 
Isaac Potts. The house and about 5 acres of ground are owned 
by the Centennial and Memorial Association, which was formed 
in 1878. The house and grounds are kept in good order. In 
front of the house is a large cannon, said to have been captured 
at Yorktown, and on the steps is a little cannon. A large cherry 
and maple tree are in front of the house, and a wooden covering 
projects over the door. 

There are only two rooms on the first floor, both on the right 
as you go in. The first of these was the reception or consulting 
room. In front of the fireplace are an old reel and spinning 
wheel. There is a large case containing many interesting relics, 
among which are noticed a bracelet with Washington's hair in it, 
which was presented by Aliss Ellen Sergent. of Philadelphia. 
Her relatives objected to the becjuest, but the Orphan's Court 
sustained the will. In this case is also a handsome old pewter 
dish of large size, once the property of William and Mary 
Plumstead, and one can see their initials upon it. Plumstead was 
mayor of Philadelphia from 1750 to 1755. 

Here is also a large hammer, once owned by William Holstein. 
Holstein (then a boy), at the time a baggagemaster of the Conti- 
nental Army came along, was cracking nuts with the hammer ; 
the hammer was borrowed to break open the lock of the baggage 
wagon, as the key had been lost. It was never used afterwards, 
but was always treasured, and was presented to the Association 
by a direct descendant. 

In this room hangs a picture of Dr. Bodo (3tto, which is exactly 
duplicated in Independence Hall. He was born in Hanover, 
Germany, in 1709, and obtained his curious Christian name from 
Baron Bodo von Oberg. He left Rotterdam, October 7, 1752, 
and located in Philadelphia. Afterwards he removed to Berks 
County, and was chosen to represent it in the Provincial 
Congress in 1776. When Washington came to \^alley Forge, 
Otto volunteered to act as surgeon, and with his two sons did 
noble service. 

256 



Valley Forge Reunion, i8qj. 

Relics of thk War of the Revoel'tion. 

The back room was Washington's private room, and no one 
was ahowed to enter unless his business was of great importance. 
In one of the window seats is a (h"awer where Washington kept 
his books and papers. Over one door hangs a gun. carried by 
Isaac AIcGlathery, who was only fifteen years old. Over another 
is a sword captured from the Hessians. On the wall is a letter 
from Washington to Samuel Powell, in a splendid state of 
preservation. In a case is a powder horn, with the following 
inscription upon it : "Jabez Rockwell. Ridgburg. Connecticut. 
His horn, made in camp at \'alley Forge, June 28, 1778. Lost 
at Yorktown, 1781." His grandson has written on a piece of 
paper attached to it: "May it be sacredly kept is the wish of his 
grandson. C. F. Rockwell." 

A tradition connected with this horn is that there were only six 
horns to be divided among ten men, and that while an. argument 
was going on Washington came up. asked the cause of the 
discussion, and settled the matter by saying that he would give 
a number to each horn, and that the men guessing the nearest 
would get the horns. The numbers were 1776. 1777, and 1778, 
and Rockwell secured his by naming 1778. 

A fine piece of pewter ware is noticed, with the inscription 
upon it, "Rescued from th.e British at the liattle of Brandywine." 
This pewter, and more of the same kind, was greatly valued by 
its owner. John Tones, who lived near the Brandywine battlefield. 
It had been brought from England in i(;20. At the time of the 
Battle of IJrandywine, Jones hid his pewter in the loft over the 
barn. A number of Hessians came into the Ijarn. and Jones, 
fearing the}' would discover his cherished ware, climbed up the 
slide where hay was thrown down, and began to throw large 
quantities upon the heads of the Hessians underneath. They 
were startled, and thought the barn was falling down on their 
heads, and beat a hasty retreat, leaving a sword behind in their 
flight. This sword was mentioned a short time before. 

Airs. Hannah ( )gden. a direct descendant of John J(,)nes, liveci 
in this house until her death, which occurred in 1878. after which 
it was purchased by the Association. 

^7 257 



rallcy forge Rciiiiiuii, iSgj. 

At the back of this room is a httle hall over 3 feet wide, by 
which you get out of the house by a back door. 

In the hall hang-s a piece of the old water wheel which formed 
the power of the original Potts' forge in 1757. 

Ascending the fine old stairway — as firm to-day as in Washing- 
ton's time — we come to the second story, in which the rooms are 
wired ofi^, as they are furnished. 

One of them is a copy of Washington's bedroom at Mount 
Vernon. This was done by the Valley Forge Chapter, Daughters 
of the American Revolution. 

In another room is represented a colonial bedroom, the 
bedstead with old sacking bottom. In the closet is a warming 
pan. In front of the fireplace are colonial chairs, reel and 
spinning wheel. This room was the work of the W'est Chester 
Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

The third room on this floor contains an old bedstead, once 
belonging to the family of Charles Thompson, who was the first 
secretary of the Continental Congress. There is also a large 
spinning wheel which was used to spin wool. In the hall are 
chronological photographs of paintings of Washington, from 
1772 to 1798. 

The thanks of the Association were voted to General Fisher 
for his address of welcome and to the Memorial Commission of 
Valley Forge for the use of the grounds. At 4.30 P. M. the 
veterans and guests started for home, after a very enjoyable' 
outing. 




258 



CHANCELLORSVILLE REUNIOX. 

(Ticclft/i Annual.) 
September 17, 1896.. 

The members and friends of the Association left Broad Street 
Station, Philadelphia, at 7.20 A. M., September i6th, arriving ar 
Fredericksburg at 12.46. Dinner was served at the Exchange 
Hotel, after which the party visited the home of Mary Washing- 
ton (the mother of General George Washington), then to the 
handsome marble monument recently erected to her memory, to 
St. George's Church, Cobb Monument, Confederate IMonument, 
Stevens House, and the battlefield and intrenchments on :\Iarves 
Hills; then halted for a while at the National Cemetery, where 
are buried 15,243 soldiers, about 12,800 of them being imknown. 
Most of the visitors then returned to the hotel, while others 
drove to the Salem Church, the old flour mill at the railroad 
bridge, the Lacy house, and the Phillips house, which was General 
Burnside's headquarters. 

A pleasant feature was the courteous reception in the handsome 
rooms of Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, Free and Accepted 
Masons, organized in 1752. In it George Washington v/as 
crafted, and raised in 1753; afterward he became master of a 
lodge at Alexandria. The visitors were shown a lock of his hair, 
enclosed in a case, two old chairs formerly owned by his mother, 
an old Bible, dated 1616. on which he took the oath. 

On the following morning (the 17th). after breakfast, cars 
were taken at the depot of the Potomac, Fredericksburg & 
Piedmont Railroad ; upon arriving at Furnace Station, carriages 
were in waiting to convey the party to the historic Chancellor 
House, where the 124th had such a bloody conflict with the 
Confederates on May 2, 1863. 

Arriving at the Chancellor house, they were warmh- welcomed 
by Mr. and Mrs. A'es. Chancellor and their aged colored servant. 
A short time was spent in viewing the old house and numerous 
relics, after which Comrade C. D. M. Broomhall, ^ledia. Pa., 
the historian of the regiment, with the aid of a well-prepared 
map. gave an interesting account of the Battle of Chancellorsville. 

259 




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CliaiiccUursvillc Reunion, i8g6. 

After a brief address by Colonel Benjamin Brooke, the party 
was driven to the spot where Confederate General Thomas 
( Stonewall ) Jackson was shot and mortally wounded on the 
night of the battle. Major Lacy, formerly of General Jackson's 
Staff, made an address. 

Returning' to the old historic house, a bountiful lunch was 
served in the dining room, after which the members of the 
Association adjourned to the shade of the apple trees on the lawn, 
and the business meeting was called to order by President Colonel 
Joseph W. Hawley. After an appropriate prayer by Chaplain 
Joseph S. Evans, Colonel Hawley addressed the members as 
follows : 

Comrades: There was a very striking difference between our journey 
from home to this place yesterday and the one we made in 1862. PuHman 
cars, with all the comforts that modern improvements in railroad travel 
could provide, vi-re at our disposal yesterday ; but in 1862, when wc 
reached the train, we were happy to find that the common box car had 
not been displaced by the cars that had conveyed to us the live cattle that 
occasionally tickled our palate. Magnificent dining cars, with a menu 
equal to the best hotels in the country, supplanted Uncle Samuel's haver- 
sack containing salt pork and hard tack. We no longer see the soldier 
standing along the railroad, but his place has been taken by busy farmers 
gathering their fall crops. 

In the early part of 1863 I laid on the bank on the opposite side of the 
river watching a brigade of Confederate troops just in the rear of this 
city, preparing to send death and destruction into our ranks when we 
should meet on the field of battle, but now we find these men the 
warmest friends we meet. I need not say that the change meets with 
m.y hearty approval, for I know we are as one in that sentiment. 

It was not my privilege to be with you in the Battle of Chancellorsville, 
as I was sent to the Washington Hospital a few days before j^ou left camp, 
with the kindly notice from one of our surgeons that I "would probably 
die before I reached there." You will observe he was wrong in the 
diagnosis of the case, although I thought he was correct at the time. 

The question is frequently asked me: "Is this country worth what the 
war made it cost?" I have been nearly all over the United States, and 
it was my privilege to spend a two months' summer vacation this year in 
Europe, where I enjoyed every minute of my time, but I came home 
fully satisfied that we have the greatest country in the world, and the best 
place for the man who earns his bread, as we all have to do. I want no 
better place to live in, and surely will be willing to close life's journey 
here, but we must be watchful that the flag under which we fought, and 
for which many gave up their lives, is kept unsullied. 

261 



ChanccUorsi'illc Reunion, iSg6. 

The officers of the preceding year were re-elected, except that 
Colonel Benjamin Brooke was unanimously chosen vice-president, 
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Captain Charles W. 
Roberts, who had served the Association as vice-president since 
its organization in 1885. 

Chaplain Evans reported the deaths of Captain Charles W. 
Roberts, Lieutenant Ralph Buckley, and Corporal Evan E. 
Woodward, and after reading the report of the Memorial Com- 
mittee, spoke as follows : 

"Thus, comrades, we are reminded as each anniversary comes to us 
that our ranks are being decimated, and it is a solemn fact that there can 
be no recruits here to fill up the vacant places. As each soldier falls from 
the ranks, that name, when the roll is called, responds no more forever, 
and each year as the lines are thinning we are made to realize that it will 
not be very long until the last man will celebrate the returning anniversary 
alone, wherever the day may find him, until at last he, too, will receive 
the summons to be mustered out. Thus, it seems to me, that each recur- 
ring year makes our meeting more sacred. Our hearts are growing more 
mellow as our weary bodies grow older. If possible, our affections grow; 
stronger anfl our attachments more binding for each other. May we not, 
in view of all this, remember to live, act and serve, day by day, so that 
at last, when we shall live here only in the loving memories of those 
who have known and who have survived us, we may be welcomed by 
the Great Commander of all the redeemed, to fill the ranks of His 
eternal hosts in glory, and there know and greet each other as comrades 
never more to be separated." 

It was decided to hold the next reunion at Paoli battlefield. 
After supper, the party congregated on the balcony and front 
steps of the hotel and were serenaded by a number of young- 
colored folks. On Friday morning (i8th) a delightful ride in 
carriages was taken along the Rappahannock River, returning to 
the hotel for dinner, and at 1.44 the train was boarded for the 
homeward journey, reaching Philadelphia at 7.51- 

]\Iuch of the pleasure of the trip was due to Colonel Benjamin 
Brooke, the popular chairman of the Executive Committee. He 
took great interest in securing enjoyment for all, and was untiring 
in his efiforts for the success of the reunion. 



262 



CHARLES W. ROBERTS. 




CHARLES W. ROBERTS. 



Born in East Goshen, Chester 
County, Pa., June 8, 1839. Mus- 
tered into Company A, of the 124th, 
as second Heutenant, xA.ugust 12, 

1862. Promoted to captain, August 
16th. and served with the regiment 
during the full term of enlistment, 
and was mustered out May 17, 

1863. Re-enlisted as captain in 
43d Pennsylvania Emergency Regi- 
ment, and served with it during the 
Gettysburg Campaign. 

He was a brave and efficient 
ofificer, much beloved by tlie mem- 
bers of the company and by the officers of the regiment. He 
was well and widely known in the community in which he was 
born and spent the years of his life. He was a large-hearted, 
philanthropic man, and was honored with many positions of trust. 

From the time of the organization of the Regimental Associa- 
tion, he was an active participant in all its afifairs, and ever had 
its best interests at heart, and at the time of his death, December 
19, 1895, he was vice-president of the Association and a member 
of the Committee to Devise Means for the Erection of Our 
Monument. 

His widow, Mrs. Mary E. Roberts, his daughter, Josephine, 
and his son, George W., attended the dedication of the monu- 
ment, September 17, 1904, at Antietam, and expressed their 
pleasure in having contributed in aid of its erection. 



265 



PAOLI REUNION. 

(Tliirtcciith .hiiiiial.) 
SeptK-MBKr 17, 1897. 

Arriving- at Malvern Station, the veterans formed double 
column and marched to the mommient j^rounds, headetl bv the 
band from (den Mills School. The ladies were conveyed in 
carriages. 

After the usual handshaking- and brotherlv s'reetinsf of 
comrades, the annual business meeting- of the Association was 
called to order at the rostrum in the grove by President Colonel 
Joseph W. Hawley. Chaplain Rev. Joseph S. Evans offered a 




MONUMENT AT PAOIJ. 



266 



Paoll Ri-iiiiioii, 1S07. 

fervent and appropriate prayer, after which the secretary read 
a report of the meeting and trip to Chancellorsville last year. 

The ( )bitnary Committee reported the deaths of thirteen 
comrades since the last annual meeting, as follows : William A. 
Guest, Thomas J. lirinton, Moses Williams, James Moore, 
Horatio N. Piatt, Elisha N. Newlin, Lewis Wilson, James 
Burnett, James O'Neil, Joshua M. Booth, Alfred MuUin, William 
J. Crowther, David W. Eyre. 

The following amendment to the By-Laws was offered by 
Secretary Charles P. Keech : "That honorary membership may 
be accorded to the wives, widows, and children of members of 
the societv, or, in special cases, for services rendered the society 
by others than members ; in either case, the applicant shall be 
endorsed by two members of the society, the application to be 
presented to the secretary, and by him laid before the society, 
when a majority vote shall elect to honorary membership, and 
that the dues be 50 cents per annum." The resolution was 
adopted, and the following were named and unanimously elected 
honorary members : 



Mrs. Colonel Josepli W. Hawley 

j\lrs. Robert M. Green 

Mrs. William A. Cheyney 

Mrs. George W. Ayres 

Mrs. John A. Rupert 

Mrs. George W. Channell 

Mrs. John Pugh 

Jesse W. Bailey 

Mrs. Jolm H. Bailey 

JNIiss Josephine Roberts 

Joseph C. Jones 

Mrs. Mary F. Clark 

Miss Bertie Thompson 

Mrs. John Mott 

:\Irs. Charles W. Roberts 

George W. Rolierts 

?\rrs. Margaret Bnrk 

George B. ]\IcCormick 



Lt. Thos. McCamant, 125th P. V. 

S. M. Whistler, 130th P. V. 

Captain Amos Bonsall 

Mr. and Mrs. George Keys 

Mrs. Bernard Hawley 

Joseph S. Evans, Jr. 

]\Irs. Henry B. Black 

Mrs. John D. Howard 

Miss Anna Harry 

Mrs. Margaret Smedlcy 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Riddle 

Mr. and Mrs. George S. Cheyney 

Miss Helen Cheyney 

]\Irs. George D. Miller 

Airs. John L. Grim 

Dr. C. H. Baker, 29th P. V. 

Miss Madella Cliectliam 



Dr. S. ^r. Whistler, Bainbridge. Pa., secretary of the 130th 
Pennsylvania A'olunteers' Association, was called upon, and said: 

Comrades: It gives me much pleasure to meet you old soldiers to-day. 
I feel that we have been acquainted many years; back to the spring of 



267 



Paoli Reunion, 1897. 

1863, about ]May 3d, when the regiment was supporting a battery along 
the road near the Chancellor house. Our regiment got lost somewhere, 
and I became mixed up with Company A, of the 124th Regiment. I 
thought they were going to have a hot fight soon, and so I staid with 
them. ]My diary now informs me that I fired 55 cartridges that day. 

With my friend, Lieutenant McCamant, of the 125th Regiment, I am 
interested in securing monuments for ihe battlefields, and am also interested 
in the Lutheran Church at Sharpsburg, IMd. This church was built in 
1768, and was used as a Federal hospital in 1862-3. It is proposed to 
replace this old edifice with a nice, new building — The Holy Trinity 
Memorial Church, to the memory of the Federal soldiers who fought and 
fell at the battle of Antietam, September 17th, 1862. My regiment placed 
in the new building an art window emblematic of war and peace, and I 
want the 124th to place the other window. It will cost about $100. 

The following- officers were elected : 

President, Colonel Joseph W. Hawley. 
Vice-President, Colonel Benjamin Brooke. 
Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans. 
Secretary, Charles P. Keech. 
Treasurer, Joel Hollingsworth. 

On motion, it was decided to hold the next reunion at 
Gettysburg, and Colonel Benjamin Brooke was appointed chair- 
man of the Committee of Arrangements. It was agreed to start 
on Friday, September i6th, and return on the following Sunday. 

Dinner was served at several long tables under the trees, after 
which the camp fire was started. Addresses were made by 
Colonel Hawley, Rev. Mr. String, Lieutenant Thomas 
McCamant, George W. Channell, William Hanby, August 
Donath, Captain Norris L. Yarnall, and others. Corporal Tom 
Kay, of the 124th, sang "The Grand Army Button," "From '61 
to '65," and "The Old Cofl:'ee Kettle." A vote of thanks was 
extended to the Washington Troop for the use of their armory, 
and at 4.35 the meeting adiourned. 



268 




Q) yU^ &^^A^^ 



DA\'ID WILSON EYRE. 

Son of Jonas (Preston) and Rebecca (Wilson) Eyre, was 
born near Chester, Pa., December 2, 1832. The farm upon which 
his father resided had been continuously in the family since his 
ancestor. Robert Eyre, settled upon it when he came from 
England, in 1648. 

On June 22, 1854, he married Mary Phipps Swayne, youngest 
daughter of Aaron and Mary (Phipps) Swayne, Darby, Pa. 

He served as corporal in Company D, of the 124th, from the 
time of its enlistment until it was mustered out. 

In private life he not only took an active interest in business, 
but was for man}- years a consistent meiuber of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

In February. i8y6. stomach trouble developed, and gradually 
grew worse, until the 24th of April, of the same year, he passed 
away. 

The historian received from the family an extract from his 
diary relating to the Battle of Antietam ; it tends to show how 
very limited the experience of a private soldier is in a great battle 
in which thousands of tons of amnumition are fired and tens of 
thousands of men killed and wounded. 

The extract is as follows : 

September i6th, 1862. Tuesday— We marched across the country about 
one and a hah' miles — came in sight of where there was fighting. We 
laid there in a field till night. About 10 o'clock at night we were called up 
to get ready to march. We moved off very quietly in the dark for abort 
one mile. We were finally drawn up in line in a plowed field, when we 
stacked arms and laid till morning within one-half mile of the enemy. 

September 17th. At 6 o'clock the dreadful battle of Sharpsburg 
(Antietam) commenced. Our regiment was ordered to advance. We 
marched by column across two fields when we were formed in line of 
battle and marched forward to about the middle of a cornfield where we 
got into a cross fire of the enemy. Our Colonel was wounded and a 
number of men killed. The bullets showered in among us like hail, and 
our comrades dropped on every hand. We were forced back, and our 
whole regiment was scattered. A part of it under command of Captain 
Yarnall was ordered into the cornfield to support a battery. The most 
of the regiment was gathered together under the command of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Litztnberg. When we encamped for the night, we found that many 
had been killed and wminded. 

271 





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A Reminder of the War. 
Trees shattered by bullets. 



GETTYSBURG REUNION. 

(Fourteenth Antiual.) 
September 17, 1898. 

A special train uf five cars left liroad Street Station, Philadel- 
phia, at 8.30 A. Al., of the 17th, arriving at Gettysburg shortly 
after i P. M. There were more than 200 in the party, and each 
one was provided with a white silk badge, nj^on which was a 
crescent and a silver star, and the following inscription in blue 
ink : 

Fourteenth Animal Reunion of the Society of the 124th 
Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteers, at Gettysburg, Pa., Septem- 
ber 17, 1898. 

Accommodations had been secured at the Hotel Gettysburg, 
and dinner awaited our arrival. After partaking of same, the 
party was driven over that part of the battlefield covered by the 
first day's fight. 

Through the coartesy of Corporal Kelly, Post No. 9, the 
business meeting of the Association was held in their Post room, 
in the evening. The meeting was opened with an appropriate 
praver by Chaplain Joseph S. Evans, followed by the reading of 
the minutes, by Secretary Keech, of the reunion held at Paoli 
last year, after which Chaplain Evans, on behalf of the Obituary 
Committee, reported the deaths of the following named comrades : 

George D. Farra Joshua W, Booth 
Alexander E. Crozier Abraham Bruliaker 
James D. Piard Anderson Fielding- 
Robert J. Hanby Charles W. Treen 
John W. Crothers Allen Davis 

Chaplain Evans announced that a memorial window, in honor 
of the 124th, had been placed in the Trinity Lutheran Church, at 
Sharpsburg, and that four members of the Association had 
advanced the sum of $110 to pay for same. 

The following officers were re-elected: 

President. Colonel Joseph W. Hawley. 
Vice-President. Colonel Benjamin Brooke. 
Secretary, Charles P. Keech. 
Treasurer. Joel 1 lollingsworlh. 

18 . 273 



Gettysburg Reunion, i8g8. 

In accepting the re-election tu the presidency, Colonel Hawley 
spoke as follows : 

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen : Great changes have taken place since 
our last reimion. We then met upon grounds made memorable by an attack 
of Great Britain in its war to keep this country in subjugation. To-day 
that same nation is seeking by all honorable means to form an alliance 
both offensive and defensive with us, recognizing that we liave grown to 
be one of the greatest and strongest nations of the world. 

We now meet upon ground hallowed by the memory of those who shed 
their blood in 1863 that these United States founded in 1776 might be 
perpetuated and kept undivided. 

During the past five months another war has been waging, great battles 
have been fought, a nation's navy has been destroyed, her armies have 
been driven out of the West Indies and Philippine Islands, and peace has 
once more been established. The conquerors are those who on this field of 
Gettysburg were deadly enemies, but who now vie with each other in their 
desire to show their love for their country. 

It is difficult for all except the old soldiers to understand how thr)se 
who were once such bitter enemies can now fight side by side under the 
.same flag and for the same cause. When the War of the Rebellion closed 
at Appomattox, it closed forever, for the soldiers who sat down with their 
late foes, spread their haversacks and shared their rations. 

This Spanish war has closely cemented all sections of our country, a 
fact which the world at large has discovered. So when our army and 
navy shall be increased to their proper strength we will hear no more of 
war or rumors of war. 

Hoping that chc time that you are here will be pleasantly spent and that 
all may be spared to meet at our reunions for many years, I will stand 
aside and make room for others who will address you. 

The following- appointments were annotinced : 

Executive Conimittee : Thomas T. Smith, Robert ^I. Green, 
John D. Howard, Harry \\'ells, and John W. Marshall. 

Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans. 

Historian, C. D. M. Broomhall. 

Obituary Committee: Chaplain Evans, Robert '\\. Green, and 
Thomas T. Smith. 

After considerable discussion, it was decided to hold the next 
reunion at Reading, on Saturday, September 16, \^(f). Immedi- 
ately after the conclusion of the business meeting, a camp fire 
was inaugurated, with President Hawley as master of ceremonies. 

Colonel Benjamin Brooke had secured the services of the 

274 



Gettysburg Rcuiiuni. 1898. 

"Dewey Mandolin Club," recently from Manila : they gave a 
number of vocal and instrumental selections, which were heartily 
applauded. 

Speeches were made by Prof. George W. Channell. of Pine 
Grove; Captain Isaac Johnson, of Media, of the 29th Pennsyl- 
vania A'olunteer Militia; Horace P. Green, of Media; John L. 
Grim, Captain Amos Bonsall, of . the 31st Pennsylvania X'olun- 
teers; George W. Ferree, of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and 
Captain Norris L. Yarnall. 

The audience sang "The Star-spangled Banner." A vote of 
thanks was extended to Post 9 for its courtesy, and the benedic- 
tion was pronounced by Captain Yarnall. 

On Sunday morning, under the guidance of Captain Long, 
the excursionists were driven to Cemetery Hill, Gulp's Hill, 
Spangler's Spring, National Cemetery, Wheat Field, Peach Or- 
chard, Devil's Den, Little Round Top, Meade's headquarters, 
and many other places of interest. The drive required nearly 
five hours, and extended about twenty miles. 

The excursionists returned to their homes on Monday, all ex- 
pressing themselves as delighted with the trip. 

The complete list of those who registered with Secretary 
Keech is as follows : 

Field and Staff— Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, Chaplain Joseph 
S. Evans. 

Company A — Charles D. Patterson, Bernard Hawley, Lewis 
R. Nichols, A. J. Gill, Harmon G. Bond, Samuel Byers, Joseph 
Pierce. 

Company B— Edward D. Sipler. William IMajor, Jacob Barlow, 
George W. Ay res. 

Company C— David E. Kirk. William A. Fleming, John A. 
Rupert. 

Company D— Joseph Pratt, \\'illiam Gamble, James Sorber, 
Charles Esrey, Edward B. Green, Lorenzo F. Davis. A\'illiam 
Hoopes, Edward Jackson, Brinton J. Heyburn, Benjamin T. 
Green, Charles D. M. Broomhall, John Pugh, Charles Moore, 
Jesse Darlington, Norris L. Yarnall. Colonel Benjamin Brooke. 
William Davidson, John L. Grim. Joel Hollingsworth, George D. 
Miller. John D. Howard. 1 lenry C. \\'arburton. James Cheetham. 

275 



Gettysburg Rciinioii, iSgS. 

Company E — Elias W. Copeland, Oliver R. Patterson. James 
Wilson, Edward T. Harlan, John Epright, George F. Baily, 
Samuel J. Thompson, William Alercer, E. R. Griffith, William. 
H. Burns. 

Company F — Townsend E. fiercer. Cyrus J. Burnett, John S. 
Baldwin, Joseph \V. Alartin, I. Walton Martin. W. W. Potts, 
^lifflin W. Bailey, Peter Gamble, Thomas T. Smith, Reese M. 
Bailey, Caleb S. James, C. P. Keech, Evan A. Alercer. 

Company G — \\'illiam D. \\"cbster, Wilmer Wood, W. H. 
Houck. 

Company H — John Alott, John Standring, Robert Al. Green, 
William Trainer, Jr., Joseph Arment, Charles Bonsall. 

Company I — Nicholas Garrigan. 

Company K — James E. Ingram, H. C. Wells, William Kane, 
George \\\ Channell, George L. Osborne, Enos C. Baker. John H. 
Bailey. George W. Shoemaker. 




2-6 



READING REUNION. 

{Fifteenth A)uiual. ) 
September i6, 1899. 

Arriving at Reading, the excursionists, to the number of 157, 
were transferred by trolley cars to the Highland House on 
Mount Neversink. After dinner the business meeting was called 
to order by President Colonel Joseph W. Hawley. and prayer 
offered by Chaplain Rev. Joseph S. Evans. 

Colonel Hawley made a touching reference to the death of 
Charles P. Keech, late Secretary of the Association, and paid 
a olowins: tribute to his memorv and his services. It was then 
decided to enter into the election of a secretary to fill the 
vacancy. Robert ^i. Green nominated John W. Marshall and 
Harrv C. Wells named John H. Bailey. The balloting resulted 
— Marshall 38, Bailey 22>. Comrade Marshall was declared 
elected, and at once assumed the duties of the ofifice. 

The secretary read an interesting account of last year's re- 
union, after which Thomas T. Smith, chairman of the Execu- 
tive Committee, stated that Colonel Benjamin Brooke and Com- 
rade Marshall were entitled to all the credit for having arranged 
the details for the success of the present reunion. 

The Obituary Committee reported the deaths of the following 
comrades since the last reunion : 

Clement Cooper, of Company E Died .March 22A. ih'cjy. 

John IMott, of Company H " " 13th, 1899. 

Charles W. Wilson, of Company C " Nov. 13th. iSoS. 

Joseph Baldwin, of Company I " Ang. nth. i8()9. 

Lieutenant Wihiam C. Dickey, of Company C " April 18th, 1899. 

Charles P. Keech, of Company F " Jime 4th, 1899. 

In connection with the death of Comrade Keech, the com- 
mittee sulimitted the following: 

Your committee, while conscious that each brave comrade that 
bared his breast to the shaft of death in defense of our glorious 



Reading Reunion, rSpQ. 

flag" ami country in the time of her greatest peril, is entitled to all 
glory and honor from a grateful nation when the silent mustering 
officer Death comes with his discharge, and while we do. with 
intense sympathy, desire to convey to the relatives and friends 
of those departed ones our fraternal interest in their bereave- 
ments, yet we cannot but feel that among all those who have 
been mustered out of our ranks during the past year, no one \j 
entitled to more honor than our faithful, tireless secretary, 
Charles F. Keech. 

From the time of our organization as a Regimental Association, 
at our first meeting held on historic ground at the "Paoli 
jNIonument" where our noble, self-sacrificing revolutionary 
fathers gave up their lives in behalf of our National independence 
- — to the time of his sudden death, he was the secretary of our 
Association, chosen from year to year, because of his untiring 
efiforts to fill the place to the best interests of the Association. 

Many of us well know that when the time of our annual 
gathering drew near he was instant in season and out of season 
in his efforts to make the meeting a successful one. I am very 
sure that most of our members, if not all, will bear me out in 
saying that he was indefatigable in trying to have each and all 
members notified, asking them to manifest their interest in the 
regiment and the Association, by paying their annual dues, and by 
attending so far as possible the annual gatherings. He was also 
anxious that we should, as an Association, have compiled a true 
history of the regiment that might go down to posterity as a 
record of which no member could be ashamed. But in the midst 
of the earnest desires of his heart, the silent officer Death came 
in a moment least expected, and mustered him out of our 
ranks. 

To-day we sincerely mourn his loss. We honor his memory. 
We desire to place on record our unfeigned appreciation of his 
faithfulness to all that he deemed to be for the best interests of 
our Association. We also desire to express the heart-felt sym- 
pathy of this Association for the beloved wife and daughter of 
our deceased comrade, in their sad bereavement. We recommend 
that a copy of this report be sent to the widow of our comrade, 
and that a record of the same be inscribed upon our riiinutes. 

278 



Reading Reunion, i8(jg. 

On motion of John L. Grim, tlie following officers were 
elected : 

President. Colonc! Joseph \V. Hawley. 
Vice-President, Colonel Benjamin Brooke. 
Secretary, John W. ]Marshall. 
Treasurer, Joel Hollingsworth. 
Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans. 

The president being- called upon spoke as follows : 

"I suppose at this time a speech of some sort is expected from some of 
us who have just been elected. I thank you, comrades, for the honor of 
again becoming president of the Association. I have been colonel of your 
regiment, and am an official of a bank. I am told we are ii,-ioo feet above 
sea level, so I can say that this is the highest elevation to which I have 
ever been elected. It gives me great pleasure to accept the honor." 

It was decided to hold the next retmion at Antietam. 

Historian, C. D. Isl. Broomhall, was called upon and started to 
read that portion of the history of the regiment pertaining to its 
participation in the Battle of Antietam, but shortly after he com- 
menced to read the trolley cars arrived to take the party back to 
Reading and the meeting was abruptly brought to a close. Ar- 
riving at Reading, the excursionists took the 6.30 train and 
were soon homeward bound, delighted with the day's pleasures. 



s4y 



279 



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Born at Marshallton, Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 30, 
1843. 0\\^ of the originators of our Regimental Association, he 
faithfully served as its secretary until death suddenly removed 
him on the 24th of June, 1899. and when the Silent Mustering 
Officer came with his discharge, we sincerely mourned his loss. 
We still honor his memory, and we pay this tribute to his untiring 
efforts for the best interests of the Association and to his loyalty 
to his comrades. 

The records of the Regimental Association reunions con- 
tained herein are largely due to his fidelity as secretary. 

He was a member of the Monument Committee appointed at 
the reunion of the Association September 17, 1889. 

280 




LIEUTENANT COMPANY C, I24TH. 
CAPTAIN COMPANY A, 2gTH P. V. M. 




WILLIA^I C. DICKEY. 

Born at Hopewell, Chester 
county, Pa., ]ylarch 31, 1840. En- 
listed August 13, 1862, as second 
lieutenant of Company C of the 
124th. Promoted to first lieutenant 
of the same company August 23, 
1862. Served with distinction dur- 
ing: the entire term for which the 
regiment enlisted and was mustered 
out with his command May 17, 

1863. 

Re-enlisted in June, 1863; was 
jgg2, • commissioned captain of Company 

A, Twenty - ninth Pennsylvania 
Emergencv Regiment and served with the regiment until it dis- 
banded in August of the same year. 

A brave and efficient officer, his promotions were won by merit. 
From the date of its organization to the time of his death 
(April 18, 1899), he was an active member of the 124th Regi- 
mental Association and was one of the committee appointed at 
the reunion in Wilmington, Delaware, September 17, 1899, 
to secure ground for the erection of a tablet at Antietam. Like 
manv other of his comrades, he was called to answer the final 
roll-call before the fruition of our hopes could be realized. The 
thanks of the survivors are due to his widow, ]\Irs. ]\Iary A. 
Dickey, for her generous contribution in aid of the Alonument 
Fund. When participating in the excursion to dedicate the 
monument she expressed her pleasure in having assisted in its 
erection. 



283 



AXTIETAM REUNION. 

(Si.vtcciitli Annual.) 
September 17. 1900. 

Arriving- at Harper's Ferry September 15th. headquarters were 
established at the Hill Top House and the Association was 
called to order at 8 P. ^i. by President Colonel Joseph \V. 
Hawley, and prayer was offered by Chaplain Rev. Joseph S. 
Evans. ^Minutes of the last reunion were read by Secretary 
Marshall and approved. Colonel Benjamin Firooke made report 
of the work of the Executive Committee. The report of the 
C)bituary Committee showed the loss of seventeen comrades by 
death since the last meeting-. The otftcers of the preceding year 
were re-elected. The meeting closed after benediction by Captain 
Norris L. Yarnall, 88 years of age. 

Sunday dawned brightly, and after the party had been photo- 
graphed, carriages were taken for Loudon \^alley, where the 
regiment was encamped for several months after the Battle of 
Antietam. After dinner, some visited the lofty Maryland 
Heights and viewed the site of the old batteries. In the evening 
Chaplain Evans conducted divine services in the pavilion on the 
lawn at Hill Top. Colonel F. H. Nibecker, superintendent of 
Glen Mills School, gave an instructive and entertaining address 
on "The Power of God" with reference to the recent calamity at 
Galveston. Texas. 

After breakfast on the I'th, the route to Antietam was re- 
sumed by train to Keedysville, thence by carriages to the many 
points of interest on that memorable battlefield, where the 124th 
within five weeks after having left their peaceful homes were 
ushered into the awful realities of actual war, with a loss of 64 
killed and wounded, among the latter being Colonel Hawley. 

The Association gave Colonel Benjamm Brooke a hearty vote 
of thanks for his services in arranging so satisfactorv an excur- 
sion for the reunion, and Colonel Hawley apjiointed him chair- 
man of the Executive Committee with power to select his asso- 
ciates to arrange for the reunion to be held at Castle Rocks Park 
on September 17, 1901. Subsequently he named the following 

284 



Aiitiilaiji Rcuiiimi, kjoo. 

as his co-workers on the committee : Thomas T. Smith, Robert 
G. Woodside, E. H. Baldwin, Robert M. Green, Henry C. War- 
burton, Joseph Pratt, John Pugh, Joel Hollings worth, John D. 
Howard, William W. Potts. 

The following" is a copy of circular distributed to the excur- 
sionists by Colonel Benjamin Brooke, chairman of the Executive 
Committee in charge of the excursion : 

PROGRA^I AND CARRIAGE ROUTE. 

Of the Survivors and Friends of 124th Pennsylvania Regiment over 

Antietam Battlefield on 

MOND.W MORXING, SEPTEMBER I/, IQCO. 

Carriages from Keedysville Station through the town, passing the 
Reformed Church, huilt on the site of the old one that was fdled with 
Union soldiers who were wounded at the battle of Antietam; to the edge 
of town where you have a view of the greater portion of the ground 
occupied as a camping ground on the nights of the 15th, i6th, and a part 
of the 17th, also where the main part of McClellan's wagon train lay during 
the battle, the 2\lcClellan Headquarters building (known as the Philip 
Pry House) just on tlie hill, but can't be seen until crossing the Antietam. 
Leaving the pike and taking the road to Samuel Pry's mill and house, 
and the old wagon shed where a number of soldiers had limbs amputated. 
The Sumner Ford is but a short distance south of this point, where the 
greater part of the right of the Union Army crossed — the Little Antietam 
empties into Big Antietam between the Ford and the Hooker Bridge. 
The Dr. Joe Smith (now Bovey) farm extends down to the Ford. The 
old buildnigs which were used as a hospital have been torn down. The 
brick house that stands near the Hooker Bridge, on the southwest side, is 
the old log house that formerly belonged to George Line and was pur- 
chased by Mr. Bovey, removed, rebuilt and brick-cased, and was the house 
in which General ^lansfield died. Mr. George Line built a new house on 
the site of the old one. The road to the left (southwest") of the Hooker 
Bridge was, during war times, only a private farm road, but now is a 
county road. The road to the right is the old road running through 
Bakersville to Williamsport ; a portion of the army took this road before 
the battle to get on the right. All the buildings as you pass along were, 
for a short while, filled with wounded soldiers until they could be placed 
in the regular hospitals. The Hoffman farm buildings were quite well 
known among the soldiers, the Smoketown Hospital being on a part of 
the farm. In the edge of Smoketown Woods hundreds lay and died, and 
the old log school-house that stood about a quarter of a mile farther on, 
where a numlier had wounds dressed, has been torn away. We pass on 
through the remaining woods to the George Line farni, where the First 

285 



Antictam Reunion, igoo. 

Brigade (Crawford's) lay on the morning of the ijih, having moved 
tliere during the night. It consisted of the loth Maine, 28th 
New York, 46th. 124th, 125th and 128th Pennsylvania Regiments, 
extending from the Line house across the Smoketown road — the road 
south through the East Woods, to the Dunkard Church. Before entering 
East Woods we take Mansfield Avenue to the right of where Colonel 
Croasdale, of 128th Pennsylvania, was killed. It is now called Croasdale 
Knob. 

Just as you leave the Smoketown road, the loth r^Iaine crossed the 
road near this point, and in entering East Woods they met the enemy. 
General ]\Iansfield received his mortal wound at this point, near where his 
monument stands, and was carried back to the old Gorge Line house, 
where he died the same day, the loth IMaine being on the left of the 
advance of Crawford's Brigade and the 124th Pennsylvania on the right, 
extending across the Hagerstown pike by the Miller house, with the other 
named regiments between ; the 125th Pennsylvania reaching the Dunkard 
Church Woods, where they intend erecting a monument in the near future. 
The advance of the brigade was made from the camping ground of the 
i6th over the open fields by the Middlekauff and Poffenberger farms 
near the Hagerstown pike to North Woods, the 124th Pennsylvania pass- 
ing through this and by the D. R. IMiller House and up the hill, some 
reaching a point near where the new Nicodemus house now stands. Their 
colonel, Joseph W. Hawley, was badly wounded, also a number of others, 
who were carried ])ack to the Ivliller house. The loss of the 124th was 64 
and the brigade lost 430, the 125th being the greatest sufiferer, losing 145. 
This same ground was the advance of General Hooker, who commanded 
the First Corps and opened the fight at daybreak on the morning of 
the 17th. 

The Confederates had been driven over a portion of the same ground 
from the North and East Wood on the evening of the i6th, Iiut advanced 
during the night and were ready for the attack at daylight on the 17th. 
From this point to the Potomac River is about half a mile, and the Union 
lines extended to the river. The hills west of the pike (of which you 
have a view) were the left of the Confederate lines. Stuart's Cavalry 
Division lay in the low ground in rear of northern end of the Dunkard 
Church Woods (known in history as Locker Woods). The natural 
breastwork used by the Confederates after they were driven across the 
Hagerstown pike, and extended from the southern end of the Miller barn 
to the angle of the Dunkard Church Woods in rear of Philadelphia 
Brigade Monument. The corps were in the following order: First, Gen- 
eral Hooker, on the extreme right, extending into East Woods; Twelfth. 
General Mansfield, about the same ground, but extending farther into East 
Woods; Second, General Sunnier, extending from the Iiloody Miller corn- 
field, southeast, to the Bloody Lane Tower, with General Franklin, of 
the Sixth, closing in, the latter part of the day. A portion of the Fifth 
Corps, Syke's Division, during the day came up from holding the Middle 

286 



Anfietaiii Reunion, 1900. 

Bridge, in wliich tlioy were assisted by what was called the U. S. Horse 
Batteries. From the east side of the creek, at JNIcClellan's headquarters, 
long-range guns were firing across the Antietam and the rangs of hills on 
the southeast side of the pike were covered with Federal guns nearly to 
Burnside Bridge. The Ninth Corps, Generals Bumside and Cox, occupy- 
ing the left and extending a mile south to Snavely's Ford, where General 
Rodman's Division crossed during the 17th, and also one Brigade of the 
Kanawah Division of Ohio troops. Their object was to cross at the Ford 
and get upon the Confederate right, and around General Jackson's left 
and force them back to what is known as "the neck" on the Potomac, 
where General Lee's Army could be captured, but owing to AlcClellan's 
slow^ move in getting across Burnside Bridge, by the time Burnside got the 
Confederates back to Sharpsburg Lee was reinforced by General Hill 
from Harper's Ferry who struck the left of Burnside's command and 
forced him back to the bridge, but not across. By this time it was nearly 
night, and the fight ended, both armies resting on their arms. 

During the i8th General Lee awaited a renewal of the fight, but during 
the night, under a fiag of truce, he crossed the Potomac with his army. 
General Fitz John Porter, with a few regiments, was ordered to follow, 
but on reaching the Virginia shore, and advancing up the cliff they were 
met by the Confederates, who drove them back with great loss. The '"Corn 
Exchange" (118th Philadelphia Regiment), being one to follow, lost very 
heavily. After the battle most of the Union Army lay around Sharpsburg 
for a month or longer, and some went to Maryland Heights, near Harper's 
Ferry, the 124th going there. 

After services near the Miller house carriages will drive by the Dunkard 
Church to Bloody Lane and Tower, thence to Burnside Bridge and return 
to the Memorial Church, where the 124th has a window, from there to 
National Cemetery, then to Keedysville, past ]\lyers' mill and the new iron 
bridge. The stone bridge over which Lee's army passed from South 
IMountain collapsed a few years ago and was , replaced with iron. After 
crossing the bridge, a short distance is Porterstown, where General 
Porter's reserve of 18,000 lay, and where General Burnside's forces left 
the pike to go to the bridge. A little farther on is McClellan's head- 
quarters, and where General Richardson died, and t> the right, on the 
highest peak of Elk Ridge is where McClellan's signal corps was stationed, 
and at the foot of the mountain you will see the Geeting farm buildings 
that were used as a hospital for several months after the battle, and next 
you are back to Keedysville for dinner. 

After a botmtiftil repast at Keedysville, the train was taken for 
the homeward jotirney. The business of the Association was 
finished on the trip home. Colonel Benjamin Brooke was ap- 
pointed chairman of the Exectitive Committee and it was de- 
cided to hold the next rettnion at Castle Rocks Park in Dela- 
ware County, Pa., on September 17, i<)Oi. 

287 




(U 



O 
rt 



O 
C 

tn 



Z E 

C rt 






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CASTLE ROCKS PARK REUNION. 

{Sci'ciilcciifh .hiiiuai.) 
September 17, 190 i. 

Headquarters of the Association was established in the pa- 
viHon and the business meeting was called to order by President 
Colonel Joseph \\\ Hawley, and prayer oiTered by Chaj^lain Rev. 
Joseph S. Evans. The Obituary Committee reported the death 
of the followino- named comrades : 

T. Baker Alercer Sergeant Stephen Blateliford 

A. Jaekson Gill Captain John Woodcock 

Captam Norris L. Yarnall William C. Broomell 

Lieutenant Harry C. Wells Leonard V. Rickford 

Adjutant J. Carpenter Worth William H. Henderson 

Taylor Windle Joseph Waddell 

Joseph F. Allison James Wilson 

Harry Dewey John Nichols 

The death of President McKinley was included in the report 
and the following resolutions to his widow were unanimously 
adopted : 

Whereas, In the wisdom of our Supreme Commander, who directs all 
things justly and ruks all nations wisely, this Republic has for the third 
time been called to mourn the loss by violence of an honored and beloved 
Chief Magistrate- and, 

Whereas, President William AJcKinley, the Christian, patriot, soldier, 
statesman, has been suddenly removed from among the people and fromh's 
great labors by the cowardly act of that foulest of human forms, the 
dastardly assassin ; and, 

Whereas, Our deceased comrade and President met his first baptism 
in the fire of battle at Antietam, where this day thirty-nine years ago, 
the members of the 124th Regiment, P. V., for the first time stood amidst 
the shriek of shot and shell. Therefore, be it 

Resok'cd, That it is fitting for us to have thus assembled, on the anniver- 
sary of that first mutual experience in the tumult and horrors of war, 
that we may manifest our profound sorrow and mingle our tears with those 
of the Nation. Thus with heads bowed down in submission to God"s will, 
with hearts stunned by the suddenness and awfulness of the death, we 
reverently declare our faith in God and in the goodness and greatness 
of our country. 

19 289 



Castle Rocks Park Reunion, ic^oi. 

Resolved, That we are ricii in the privilege of keeping green the memory 
of onr distinguished comrade and in the glorification reflected by his wise, 
loving and eminently just conduct of tliose great responsibilities that came 
to him in the administration of the afifairs of that office — the highest in the 
gift of his countrymen. 

Resolved, That the sympathies of the Society of the 124th Regiment, 
P. v., are hereby extended to Mrs. William ]\IcKinley, the beloved wife 
and sorrowing widow of our deceased President, in this hour, when alone, 
she treads the darkened path of a supreme sorrow and irreparable loss. 

Resolved, That for all that class of men and women who, while enjoying 
the blessings of peace, freedom of action, the comforts of home and the 
prosperity in this country, to a degree unknown under the flag of any 
other nation, but who by their acts have proved themselves ingrates. dis- 
turbers of peace and destroyers of law and order, we do hereby emphati- 
cally declare the greatest abhorrence. 

Resolved, That it is our deep conviction that all teachers of anarchy 
and all advocates or adherents of the foul doctrine should by law be for- 
bidden to land on our shores, and that all such now in our borders should 
be forever vigorously dealt with by a law sufficiently strong to suppress 
or expel, and for the speedy enactment of a strong, restraining and govern- 
ing law in this respect we ever pray and pledge our support. 

Resolved. That we hereby express our affectionate sympathy for and con- 
fidence ill the ability, patriotism and wisdom of President Theodore Roose- 
velt, vvho has had so suddenly and painfully thrust upon him the grave 
responsibilities and management of the affairs of State, and that we have 
faith in his purpose to carry to a full fruition the expanding legislative, 
commercial, financial and industrial interests of the country, that have 
been so wonderfully developed under the strong guidance of the martyred 
and immortal McKinley. 

Regimentai, ]\Ionument. 
At the last session of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, an 
appropriation of $1,500 was made for the erection of a monu- 
ment for the 124th Regiment on the battlefield of Antietam, but 
Governor Stone cut down the appropriation to $750. In view of 
that reduction, the Association adopted the following resolutions 
as submitted by Secretary Marshall : 

Whereas, It is desirable, without longer delay, to secure the proper 
recognition of the services of those Pennsylvania regiments that took part 
in the Battle of Antietam, and which are without monumental representa- 
tion there or elsewhere ; and. 

Whereas, The sum of $750 was set apart by our recent Legislature for 
the purpose of procuring sites and erecting thereon a monument to each of 

290 



Castle Racks Park Reunion, 1901. 

the following organizations, to wit: The 45th, 48th, 50th, 51st, looth, 
124th, 125th, 128th, i30tli, 1x26. and 137th, Pennsj'lvania Infantry; and, 

WherLas, The survivors of the 124th Regiment, P. V., and many others 
who are interested, have strongly indicated their approval of the move- 
ment, and expressed a willingness to render financial aid for a monumental 
representation that will be commemorative of the services of the 124th 
Regiment, P. V., in the war for the preservation of our country and the 
maintenance of our flag; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the president of our society. Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, 
do now appoint a committee for the purpose of obtaining the long desired 
end, and further 

Resolved, That said committee be, and is hereby empowered, to raise 
funds other than the amount provided by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, 
to select and secure a proper site for a monument on the battlefield of 
Antietam, and to procure a suitable monument that w^ill be an honor to the 
regiment and a fitting recognition of its valor, and to substantially erect the 
same on said site. 

President Hawley appointed the committee as follows : 

Captain Joseph Pratt David Wilkinson 

Robert M. Green Amos Bonsall 

James Cheetham John L. Grim 

Rev. Joseph S. Evans Robert Woodside 

Hunter Brooke J. Frank Black 

John Pugh George W. Roberts 

Henry B. Black Henry C. Warburton 

C. D. M. Broomhall Colonel Benjamin Brooke 

Joseph T. Pierce David Cox 

The following named officers were re-elected : 

President, Colonel Joseph W. HawL-y. 
Vice-President, Colonel Benjamin Brooke. 
Secretary, John W. Marshall. 
Treasurer, Joel Hollingsworth. 

The president with his characteristic modesty thanked the 
society for the honors once more placed tipon him. and an- 
nounced the following appointments : 

Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans. 
Historian, C. D. M. Broomhall. 

Obituary Committee, Rev. Joseph S. Evans, Robert M. Green, Thomas 
T. Smith. 

291 



Castle Rocks Park Rciiiiion, njoi. 

Executive Committee: For faithful and meritorious labors 
in the past. Colonel Benjamin Brooke was continued as chair- 
man, with power to select the balance of the committee. 

Dinricr was served in the grove, after which a camp fire was 
held in the pavilion, presided over by Colonel Joseph W. Hawley. 
The band from Glen Mills School, under the leadership of Pro- 
fessor S. S. Smith, gave a very enjoyable concert of populai 
music. Addresses were made by Hon. Thomas \\ Cooper, oi 
ISIedia, Robert M. Green, of Philadelphia, Captain Albert Magnin, 
of Darby, John L. Grim and Captain Amos Bonsall, of Philadel- 
phia, the last survivor of the Dr. Elisha Kane expedition to the 
Arctic regions in 1854. Corporal "Tom" Kay entertained with 
vocal solos, among them being, "The Old Coffee Kettle." 

[XoTE nv Editor. — In the appointments made at this reunion 
by Colonel Hawley, president of the Regimental Association, is 
that of Colonel Benjamin Brooke as chairman of the Executive 
Committee and a member of the committee to devise w^ays and 
means for the erection of a regimental monument on the battle- 
field of Antietam. A\'hen the pleasing exercises of the day closed 
and we bid each other good-bye, little did we think that before 
another anniversary would be held our beloved comrade and 
co-worker would be called to answer the final roll call. 

Prior to his death, March 12, 1902, he had met with his fellow 
members of the Monument Committee, and expressed the hope 
that a monument would be erected that would be a fitting memo- 
rial of the services of the regiment. 

It was at his suggestion that Robert M. Green was made treas- 
urer of the fund, and he subscribed one hundred dollars toward 
it. This was paid by his executors. 

In the work that afterward devolved upon the treasurer the 
loss of Colonel Brooke was deeply deplored.] 



29: 



DOWNINGTOWN REUNION. 

{Eighteenth Annual.) 
September 17, 1902. 

Upon arrival at the station, the society was met by a delegation 
of Winfiekl Scott Post No. 255, Grand Army of the Republic, 
who tendered the use of their Post Hall, but, owing to the large 
number in attendance, this proved inadequate and Odd Fellows' 
Hall was substituted. President Colonel Joseph W. Hawley called 
the meeting to order, and the band of twenty-two pieces from 
Glen Mills School rendered "The Star-spangled Banner," followed 
by divine invocation by Chaplain Joseph S. Evans. 

The Obituary Committee reported the deaths of the following 
named comrades: Colonel Benjamin Brooke, vice-president of 
the Association and chairman of the Executive Committee ; Joseph 
T. Pierce, Henry C. Cornog, Corporal Joseph J. Hall, William H. 
Howard. James Cheetham. William B. Farra. John F. Duffy, 
Corporal John J. Glisson. John L. Lloyd, James E. Wilson, George 
Lawrence, William H. Henderson, Enos Yates, James Bonner, 
William Siverd. 

On motion of John L. Grim, the officers of the preceding year 
were re-elected, excepting that Robert M. Green, of Philadelphia, 
was chosen to succeed the late Colonel Benjamin Brooke as vice- 
president. Comrade Green thanked the Association for the honor, 
and assured the members he would help them in any movement 
for the welfare of the society. 

After balloting for the place of next meeting, Washington was 
decided upon ; the business meeting adjourned and dinner was 
served at the Pennsylvania House to 267 members and friends. 
After dinner, the exercises attending the usual campfire were 
held in Odd Fellows' Hall. Colonel Hawley presided, and the 
first speaker introduced was Rev. T. G. Eiswald, pastor of the 
Downingtown Baptist Church, who said, among other things : 

"It gives me great pleasure to be with you to-day. Great deeds have 
been done by men being true to the small things. The smallest order had 
to be implicitly obeyed by the soldier. 

295 



Dowiiiiigtowii Rciiuion, igoj. 

"Great issues hang in the balance and come to us to be decided by their 
uprighteousness and purity. As we see the ranks thinning as the days are 
passing away, it should mean more spiritual and moral life in the country. 
You did not struggle to unloose the devil, or to give monopoly power. 
Your hair is thinning; your eye is dinuning, so we must now invite you 
to lean upon our younger arms, and we must take up your labors. 

"Hasten the day when the tongue shall cleave to the roof of the mouth 
that would object to pensions for you old veterans. 

"Comrade D. ]\1. Cox is a hard man to kill. He was left for dead on 
Antietam battlefield, and he has been ntarly dead with sickness here, so he 
has invited me to welcome you to ihis town. I can say that we have 
the fairest women here, if you don't place them in too strong light. Our 
town is peculiarly situated; geographically, it is one yard wide and five 
miles long. We regret that you are going to stay here but a few hours. 
The regiment is an honor to the flag, and may God bless you." 

Responding to the cordial welcome of Pastor Eiswald, Colonel 
Hawley spoke as follows: 

"On behalf of the 124th Regiment I thank the citizens of Downingtown 
for the kind recepiion they have extended to us, and for the words of 
welcome by Rev. ^Nlr. Eiswald. 

"Forty years ago last month one hundred boys, for we were mere boys, 
met in this town and formed a company in answer to the call of Andrew 
G. Curtin. Pennsylvania's great war Governor. We met in the hall in the 
western end of the town and organized by the election of your speaker as 
captain, and about 4 o'clock in the afternoon took the train for Harrisburg, 
where we soon became Company 'A' of the 124th Regiment of Pennsyl- 
vania troops and left for the Army of the Potomac. In a few weeks we 
were engaged with the enemy at Antietam, where many lost their lives 
and many more were seriously wounded. Many incidents occurring the 
day we met here are still plain in my memory; one was an act of kindness 
of Mr. Ashbridge, who belonged to a religious organization opposed to war, 
still he felt kindly towards my boys and asked those who had enlisted from 
the township of Whiteland to step to the front that he might see them, 
tlicn passing down the line he presented each of them with a five-doliar 
note. How sorry we were that we were not all from his home. A father 
of one of the boys was standing on the hotel porch when we were marching 
by and looking with pride on his boy, was angered by a loafing cowardly 
fellow who said 'look at those Lincoln hirelings and nigger worshippers.' 
The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the father said 'one of 
those boys is my son,' and accompanying the words with a blow from his 
fist landed the fellow in the middle of the street, and if Sheriff Heffilfinger 
had not interfered there would have been an undertaker needed. 

"Many changes have taken place since then. The loving parents who 

296 



Dozciiingtozvii Reunion, igo2. 

sadly bid us adieu on that day and who so gladly welcomed us back, those 
of us who returned, have passed away, and we who were but boys then 
have whiter heads, showing that time is leaving its mark on us, and each 
year it is our solemn duty to record the death ol many of our memljers, 
but as this is a day of pleasure I will not dwell on the sad side of life, but 
will introduce those who have so kindly offered to address us." 

Robert M. Green, treasitrer of the committee to secure funds for 
the erection of a regimental monument at Antietam, reported 
that (Utring- the past year he had received $575 in cash, and sub- 
scriptions amounting to $350. 

Secretary John \\'. ]\Iarshall was caUed upon, and said : 

"One year ago we had with us one who could never do too much for his 
fellowmen. Col. Benj. Brooke was a man of big heart, with warm interest 
in our liehalf. He always had in consideration the comfort of our mem- 
bers. His work in the past is commemorated by the placing of his portrait 
upon our badge to-day. There was no heart so loyal and true as his. His 
heart was in all institutions looking to the welfare of mankind. We can- 
not say too much of praise for so great a man as our departed friend." 

Comrade John L. Grim was cahed for. and, upon arising-, he 
asked what he was to talk about, when Comrade Green called 
his attention to the much-desired monument. 

Comrade Grim prefaced his address by the narration of several 
amusing stories, including that of the boy and his dog. Con- 
tinuing, he said : 



'to' 



"Are these the men who went forth with elastic step forty years ago, 
from Chester and Delaware counties, who left their plows, work benches, 
and business desks, even the boys who left their books in the schools — the 
harvest soldiers of the world, meeting the enemy in the corn-tields and in 
the woodlands, driving Lee back beyond the Potomac? These are the 
boys who followed Burnside through the mud of spring time, to Chancel- 
lorsville. Under the Star Spangled Banner they rushed onward that not a 
star should be taken from the old flag. With determined brow they were 
always ready for the conflict. But now they are passing down to the sunset 
of life. In the Southland are many mounds indicating that wdien the 
country needed them they gave up their lives. And in these later days our 
beloved Colonel Brooke has gone to join them. We recall the terrible 
sufferings and the awful wounds, and so we demand that our great country 
nmst remain united. We have the laurels because we have the victory. 

297 



Dozi'iiiitgiozcii Reunion, igo2. 

We want to maintain the principles for which we foughl. There is noth- 
ing which can surpass the monument in granite, which will stand for what 
has been so nobly won. I appeal to you to contribute to the fund for this 
proposed monument which we can leave in honor of our brave boys. 
There is no more honorable spot upon which it can be erected than at 
Antietam. I know that our children will gather there and praise us for 
what we have done. The handshake among you which I have seen to-day 
was welded in the camptires of years ago. 

"The foreign countries are now sending their offsprings here to learn 
what we know. Aren't you proud of it?" 

The exercises ended with music by the band and a hitmorous 
song by Corporal "Tom" Kay, and the Eighteenth Annual 
became a part of the past. 



Circular sent to Survivors of Regiment. 

Philadelphia, July 27th, 1903. 
Dear Comrade : 

The members of our society have reason for indulging in sentiments of 
congratulation, because of the enactment of the "]Monumental Appropria- 
tion Bill" by the late Legislature of Pennsylvania, and in consequence your 
Executive Committee fraternally addresses you relative to the place for 
holding our reunion this year. 

Under the provisions of this Act the survivors of the 124th Regiment 
are now assured that such monumental recognition will be given the regi- 
ment on the battlefield of Antietam as will worthily commemorate its par- 
ticipation in that battle September 17, 1862, and for other services gal- 
lantly rendered the country in the War of the Rebellion. 

There is every assurance that this memorial will be completed September, 
1904, thus affording the opportunity for our members to participate in the 
unveiling ceremonies and attending our Twentieth Annual Reunion at 
the same time. 

To the thirteen interested commands the 17th of September, 1904, will 
be a memorable occasion, and one that will occupy a place in our thoughts 
next to the memories of that day it commemorates, and it is confidently 
expected that each comrade of our society will desire to witness and enjoy 
the consummation of this long-anticipated and hard-worked for result. 

Antietam, with its environments of historic scenes, is the ideal place, and 
the unveiling ceremonies, being the fruition of our hopes, will be the 
appropriate time for the survivors of our regiment, with their recollections 
of forty-two years ago, to assemble with their families and friends in one 
more grand rally on grounds hallowed by the blood of our comrades. 

298 



Circular to SiiriTZ'ors. 

It will be the one time when we may enjoy the sight of gratefully wit- 
nessing "Old Glory" gracefully lifting its beauteous folds, revealing a 
bright shaft of enduring granite that is to be a reminder to the distant 
future generations of our regiment's valor in the smoke-laden air of that 
field of death and destruction midst the cannon's roar, the shriek of shell 
and the whirr of bullets. 

Your Executive Committee, having in mind the highest degree of pleas- 
ure for our membership, have given a thoughtful consideration to the ques- 
tion of location for this year's reunion, and in a special meeting, held the 
third day of July, did unanimously adopt the following resolution, and now 
most earnestly hope for your full approval. 

Whereas, Since the reunion of the Society of the iJ4th Regiment, P. V., 
held at Downingtown, Pa., September 17, 1002, when Washington City 
was named as the place for holding our then next meeting, conditions 
now strongly indicate that a change of place for meeting this year is most 
desirable; therefore, 

Rcsolz'cd, That as a majority of the Society will desire to visit Antietam 
September 17, 1904, it is, m the judgment of this committee, not desir- 
able to attempt to carry out the vote which named Washington, D. C, as 
this year's meeting place, and we do hereby substitute for that the name of 
"Castle Rocks," at which place the Nineteenth Annual Reunion of the 
Society will be held September 17, 1903. 

Approved, 

Joseph W. Hawley, President. 

Attest: 
John W. Marshall, Secretary. 

Robert AI. Green, 
Joseph Pratt, 
Joel Hollingsworth. 
John Pugh, 
John L. Grim, 

Coiiiinittce. 



299 



BENJAMIN BROOKE. 




Soil of the late H. Jones and 
Jemima E. Brooke. Was born in 
Radnor Township, Delaware County, 
Pa., December 13, 1840. Enlisted 
in the 124th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, and was appointed sergeant in 
Company D. He participated in the 
battles of South Mountain, Antie- 
tam and Chancellorsville, on each 

attention for 



occasion 
bravery. 
When 



attracting 



the term of the 124th 
jgg, expired, he re-enlisted in the 29th 

Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, 
and became second lieutenant of Company I. After the discharge 
of this regiment, he recruited Company B, of the 203d Pennsyl- 
vania Infantry, and v/as elected captain. Although severely 
wounded in the charge of the regiment at the storming of Fort 
Fisher, he refused to leave his command, was complimented in 
general orders for bravery, and elected lieutenant-colonel of the 
regiment. He was again wounded in front of Wilmington, N. C, 
in one of the last battles of the war. At the close of the war, 
was mustered out, with the rank of colonel, and was offered a 
commission in the Regular Army ; this he declined, preferring 
to enter upon a business career. 

He was a popular comrade and past commander of George G. 
Meade Post, No. i. Grand Army of the Republic, of Philadelphia, 
a member of the Loyal Legion, the Sons of the Revolution, an 
active director of the Glen Mills School, in Delaware County, 
a member of the Union League, of Philadelphia, a director of 
the First National Bank, of Media, and at the time of his death 
was vice-president of the 124th Regimental Association. 

Colonel Brooke had a host of friends, who highly esteemed 
him for his noble character and manly worth. 

His brother, Mr. Hunter Brooke, was also a member of 
Company D, of the 124th, sergeant of Company I, 29th Pennsyl- 
vania Emergency Regiment, and lieutenant Company E, i92d 
Pennsylvania ^'olunteers. His brother, Mr. Frank Brooke, was 
a member of the 29th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment. 



300 




Sergeant Company L), iJ4t!i Pennsylvania. 

Second Lieutenant Company I, Twenty-nintli Pennsylvania Emergency. 

Captain Company B, 203d Pcnnsylvan'a Volnnteers. 

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel 203d. 

Mustered out with rank of Colonel. 

Died Alarcii 12, 1902. 



CASTLE ROCKS PARK REUNION. 

(Nineteenth A)iinial.) 
September 17, 1903. 

At the reunion last year it was agreed that the meeting of 
to-day should be held at Washington, D. C, but the Executive 
Committee changed the program, owing to the fact that next year 
the reunion is to be held at Antietam battlefield, to dedicate a 
monument to commemorate the gallant services of the regiment 
in that battle. 

The business of the meeting was called to order by President 
Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, followed by a rendition of patriotic 
airs by a band of 30 performers from the Glen Mills School, 
under the leadership of Prof. P. P. Brown. 

An appropriate and fervent prayer was offered by Chaplain 
Rev. Joseph S. Evans. Owing to the absence of the secretary, 
John W. Marshall, in Mexico. Prof. George \V. Channell, princi- 
pal of the Port Carbon High School, was chosen as temporary 
secretary to record the proceedings. 

A handsome badge of white satin was distributed, upon which 
was embossed, in gilt letters : 

Nineteenth Annual Reunion 

of the 

Society of the 124th Pa. Vols. 

Castle Rocks Park, 

September 17, 1903. 

In addition to the above inscription was an engraving of the 
Soldiers' Monument, recently erected at Media, Pa. 

The Obituary Committee submitted the following report: 

Our annual meeting has come once more, and with it comes the sad duty 
devolving upon your committee to present the mortuary list of the past 
year. The Silent Reaper has not been idle, the list will show the names of 
a number of our noble and brave fellow-members who have been mustered 
out of our ranks since last we met. We might speak of them as individuals, 
or of their individual lives and service, but your committee deem it wise 
to speak of them as a company of noble patriots, each and all of whom 
laid their lives in sacrifice upon the country's altar in her hour of need. 
Each one gave all that he had to his country ; he was prepared to die, if 



Castle Rocks Park Reunion, 1903. 

need be, in defense of her glorious flag. In the battle's territic roar and 
carnage, eacl; and all of them stood shoulder to shoulder as they faced the 
foe. We remember them all in this \v?.y, as standing upon a common, yet 
a noble level, and to-day we think of them as sleeping their last sleep 
•vith the canopy of a true soldier's honor o'er each sacred grave : 

James Bonner Died August 25, 1902. 

Chas. D. ]\I. Broomhall " October 24, " 

Emmor L. Talley " November 4, '' 

Cyrus J. Burnett " November 25, "■ 

David AI. Cox " December 8, " 

Reese ]M. Bailey " December 20. " 

Robert G. Woodside " January 23, 1903. 

Thomas T. Smith " February 4, 

William H. Bentley •' February 5, " 

William H. Pierson " ]\Iay 12, " 

Lorenzo F. Davis " June i, '' 

Samuel C. Smith " June 27, " 

Lewis T. Johnson " July 5. " 

Marshall Lamborn " August 20, " 

Jesse W. Paist " October 21, " 

William Y. Esben " IMay 9, " 

THE REGOIENTAL MONUMENT. 

On behalf of the committee, Robert M. Green reported on the 
plans prepared, and exhibited two designs to be passed npon by 
the members present. Among other things he said that the 
committee is desirons of having the monument completed in time 
for unveiling on September 17, 1904, when the twentieth reunion 
will be held at Antietam. He referred to the need of more funds 
for the purpose, and appealed for aid from all the survivors of 
the regiment, the families of deceased comrades, and all who 
are in any way interested as descendants or friends of those who 
composed the regiment. The recent Legislature of Pennsylvania 
appropriated $2,500 for a moimment, and the members and 
friends have donated or subscribed $1,000. Of the plans submitted, 
the one favored by the committee will cost $5,000 to erect. He 
urged for more liberal response from the meiubers, if a memorial 
is desired that will tell of the trials and hardships of army life, 
a monument that will be a fitting recognition of the heroic work 
and valor of the regiment in defence of flag and country, and 
be to future generations a patriotic reminder to which they may 
point with pride. 

304 



Castle Rocks Park Rcuiiioii, IQOJ. 

Colonel Hawlcy and others spoke earnestly on behalf of more 
liberal donations for a desirable monument. Henry 15. Ulack, of 
Chester, an honorary member, said : 

"I am iiiKrested in this Association's work and also in tliis monument, 
and I am in favor of a fine and credital)le shaft. 1 am willing to contribute."' 

George W. Channell said : 

"Let us erect a mcnument that will reflect honor upon the Association. 
Let every comrade do what is possible to encourage the committee. Let 
us support then], and commence at once." 

Comrade John Pngh. of Conshohocken, was in favor of the 
best monument and one that will stand for generations, and of 
which all will be proud. Comrade Pugh was requested to make 
personal canvass for subscriptions among those present. Having 
secured quite a sum in cash and over $400 in subscriptions, it 
was decided to adopt the $5,000 monument, favored by the 
committee. 

The former ofificers were re-elected. 

President, Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, of Media. 
Vice-president, Roljert M. Green, of Philadelphia. 
Secretary, John W. Marshall, of Philadelphia. 
Treasurer, Joel Hollingsworth, of Wallingford. 

Colonel Hawley thanked the Association, and announced these 
appointments : 

Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans, West Chester, Pa. 

Hi.storian, Prof. Geo. W. Channell. Port Carbon, Pa. 

Obituary Committee, Rev. Joseph S. Evans, Robert M. Green and David 
S. Wilkinson. 

Executive and [Monument Committee — Robert M. (M-een, Henry C. War- 
burton. John Pugh, Joel Hollingsworth, John D. Howard. 

Dinner was announced, and was partaken of by more than 200, 
after which a campfire was held in the jiavilion. The band 
opened with a pleasant melody that was warmly applauded. The 
first orator presented by Colonel Hawley was Captain Isaac 
Johnson, late of the 29th P'ennsylvania Emergency Regiment, 
now judge of tlie Delaware County C\^urt, who said : 

"It gives me much pleasure to mingle with the 124th Regiment survivors 
here to-day. It gives me pleasure to 4iake bands with you old veterans. 

20 305 



CastU- Rocks I'liik Reunion, J<^0S- 

We do not yet estimate the importance of that great struggle of forty years 
ago to determine the great (luestion tliat this government of the people 
shall perish from internal disorder. Our nation is now the peer of the 
greatest nations of the earth. The nation that sits between the oceans 
commands the attention of the world. We are exerting more influence 
upon the civilization of the world. We now represent the very highest 
standards, and we are playing an important part in the movements for 
civil and religious liberty. Since you inarched shoulder to shoulder under 
the old flag, we have made progress, and only yesterday the banner of our 
Republic was unfurled in Pekin. We represent the greatest influence for 
all that is good — the liberty of the law. Let us use it for the benefit of the 
human race and all mankind." 

Hon. Thomas V. Cooper, of Media, was introduced as an old 
soldier, and a warm friend of old soldiers. He was given a 
cordial greeting, and, among other things, said : 

"1 have always liked to be introduced by Colonel Hawley. I am inter- 
ested in this regimep.t, for at Chancellors\'ilIe when I was attempting to 
escape capture by the fastest run ever made by mortal man, I was rescued 
by the 124th, and in gratitude to them I was instrumental in securing the 
pa-^sage of the monument bill in the State Legislature. I like to meet sol- 
diers, because they represent our Government more than any other class of 
citizens. The achievements of the Union Army were something wonderful. 
1 he boast of this nation goes up and up, but never comes down, and we 
are continually adding to the greatness of our country."' 

Corporal Tom Kay then amused with a song, and gave some 
flute imitations on a cane. 

Comrade Robert JM. Green was called upon, and said: 

"I did not expect to say anything to-day except to make an appeal in 
behalf of our [Nlomunent Fund. I do not feel qualified to make a speech 
such a* we have listened to from Judge Johnson and 'Tom' Cooper." 

He then recited in stirring manner the famous speech delivered 
by President Lincoln at Gettysburg, and described vivid pictures 
of the soldiers' life in camp and on the march, and in conclusion 
said h(tw grateful we should be that we have lived to see our flag 
float from the highest peak of the Mountain Range of Nations, 
and respected by all mankind. 

At 4 P. M. the benediction was pronounced by Chaplain Evans, 
and the pleasant reunion was at an end. 

306 




^^^/^^^^^^ 



JOHX W. MARSHALL. 

Was born Novemljer i6, 1842. Son of Cloud and ]\Iary 
(Woodward) Marshall, who resided in West Bradford town- 
ship, Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the west branch of the 
Brandywine ; the farm comprised several hundred acres, pur- 
chased from the In.dians in 1703. by Abraham ^larshall. who 
came from Derbyshire, England, and settled on said tract. The 
boyhood of John \W was spent in attending the public school at 
Marshallton and in such work as was incident in a "country 
lad's life." On August 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, of 
the 124th, and served with it until January, 1863, when he was 
discharged from a hospital in W'ashington, D. C, for disability 
caused by typhoid fever. On August 7, 1862 (two days after his 
enlistment), he married Mary Ellen, only daughter of Robert 
Emmit and Eliza Smith. 

In i8(j5 he was elected commander of George G. JNIeade Post, 
Grand Army of the Republic, and for several years thereafter 
was adjutant of the post. 

He has long been a member of the 124th Regimental Associa- 
tion, and was elected its secretary, to succeed the late Charles P. 
Keech, and the duties of this position he faithfully performed 
until his removal to Parral, IMexico. where he is now engaged 
as manager of the United States Mining Co. 

On another page is a letter written by him. congratulating the 
Regimental Association on the completion of their monument. 



309 




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Z 






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Co. B, 124th Penna. Vol. 

Co. F, 2gtli Penna. Militia. 

Co. G, 97th Penna. \'ol. 

Wonnded in front of Petersburg, May 18, iK()4. 

In 1907. Col. Fourth Regt., National Guards, N. J. 



AXTIETAM REUNION. 

(Tii'cntictli Annual.) 
September 17, icp4. 



Business Meeting and Campfire. 

Through the courtesy of Christ Reformed Memorial Church, 
of Sharpsburg, the business meeting and campfire was held in 
that edifice in the evening, the spacious building being crowded. 
This church was built in 1832. It was used as a Federal hos- 
pital in 1862. 

Colonel Hawley presided, and Chaplain Evans being absent, 
on account of illness, the exercises were opened \\'\i\\ prayer by 
Rev. S. T. Wagner, of Boonesboro, followed by a short address 
of welcome from Rev. B. R. Carnahan, pastor of the church, 
who wished the visitors a pleasant time. 

The Obituary Committee, consisting of Rev. Joseph S. Evans, 
Robert M. Green, and David S. Wilkinson, made report of the 
following deaths : 

Corporal Samuel K. Crozier, Company H, November 23d, 1903, aged 67. 

Corporal Arnold M Nichols, Company I, December i6th, 1903, aged ~t,. 

William H. Hoopes, Company D, :\Iarch 24th, 1903, aged 60. 

Corporal Thomas W. Taylor, Company E, April 3d, 1904. 

Corporal Joseph ]\[cCoy, Company P.. June iStli, 1904, aged 70. 

Edward Cooper, Company B, March i8th, 1904, aged 78. 

Corporal Henry B. Wynn, Company A, October 30th, 1902, at Yankton, 
South Dakota (fourth attack of paralysis), aged 61. 

Sergeant Joseph N. Woodward, Company A, killed by express train on 
Pennsylvania Railroad at Coatesville, Pennsylvania. In addition to his 
services in the 124th, he also served in 1863 in an Independent Cavalry Com- 
pany, and in 1864, as captain I92d P. V.. 100 days' service. 

Charles H. Dilworth, Company E, died March 8th, 1904. at Des Moines, 
lov.a. At time of death he was president of the West Des Moines School 
Board, and of the Valley Savings Bank. 

Samuel P. Conner, Company K, at Coatesville, June 13th, 1904. 

Enos W. Ross, Company I, June 17th, 1904. 

Eli PI. Baldwin, Company A, July 28th, 1904, aged 6~. 

Joseph M. Drake, Company H, ]\Iarch 24th, 1904. 

William T. Daller, Company F, September 3d, 1904, aged 71. 

Wesley Durnell, Company A. 

Corporal William Williams. Company F. 

313 



.liiticlaui h'runioii . Ujo I. 

Marsliall l.anilxini, Company K. 

Licuttnanl Frank M. Nagiec, Ccmpanv \\, November 20, 1903. 

Charles Daller, Company F. 

Jonathan Heaeoek, Company H, June 9, 1904. 

John Pelcrs, Company H. 

"Thus are we reminded once again tliat nur ranks are Ix'ing decimated 
\ear by year. Loved comrades have fallen hy the wayside as we have 
marched along life's pathway. Fresh mounds have been raised to mark 
the restin.g place of the bodies of brave and honored men who once stood 
shoulder to shoulder with those who Lire here to-day. Their precious lives 
have gone back to God, who gave them. With them, 'life's fitful dream is 
o'er.' For them time, with all its cares, its labors, and its sorrows, is 
forever past ; they have entered into their eternal rest. Their vacant places 
forcibly remind us that the allotted space for our life's work is, at the best, 
but a span. INlany of us are already nearing its close. Which of us can tell 
who next shall be summoned to cross the narrow stream which separates 
the known from the unknown, the finite from the infinite. Let it be the aim 
of each and all of us to perform the duties assigned to us, that when 
the final sunmions shall call us hence, when the places, the pursuits, and 
the friends which have once known us shall know us no more, it may be 
said of us that 'tlie world has been better for our living in it.'" 

Er,KCTi().\ oF Off'ickrs. 
Tlie animal election of officer.s re.'sulted as follows : 

President — Ci^lonel Joseph W. Hawky, 
Vice-President — Robert M. Creen. 
Treasurer — Joel Hollingsworth. 

Secretary — Edward T. Harlan, vice John W. Marshall, who is now gen- 
eral manager of the United States r\ lining Co., at Parral, ^lexico. 

Colonel Hawley, in a brief speech, thanked the survivors for 
the continued honors, and announced as the Executive Com- 
mittee: John Pugh, Henry C. W'arhurton, John D. Howard, 
Joel Hollingsworth, George M. Thomson, vice Roliert M. Green, 
who declined reappointment. 

The Ohittiar\- Committee a])])()inted was John D. Howard, 
R()])ert M. Green, David S. Wilkinson. 

Xk.xt Rkuxiox. 
The following ])laccs were named for the next reunion: 
Coatesvillc, Media, l*)rand}-winc S]M-ings, X'orristown, West 
Chester, and Xallc}- Forge. The Exectitive Committee was 

,^14 



Antictaiii Reunion, 1W4. 

empowered to make selections from the places and notify the 
members. 

Robert M. Green, chairman of the Monument Committee, 
reported that he had sufficient funds in hand to pay for the 
monument, and all expenses connected therewith, but that an 
additional sum mig;ht be required for the completion of the 
souvenir book that he had in preparation. 

Comrade John Pugh moved that thanks of the Association be 
extended Chairman Green for his efficient and faithful labors, 
and that he l)e authorized to complete the history of the regiment 
and of the Association. The motion was adopted. 

Chairman Green was called on for a speech, and said: 

'■] ihank you for tliis eviderce of your esteem, l)ul mi account of the 
arduous duties pertaiiTing to the excursion and the dedication of the monu- 
ment, 1 must ask you to pardon me from making a speech. I am sure that 
I caimot say anything that \vould be ;.if interest at this time. If the work 
that you gave me to do has been satisfactory, that is all the thanks 1 
want." 

Thk Camp-firi:. 

The business having been attended to, the camp-fire exercises 
were inaugurated by Corporal "Tom" Kay, of Cotnpany B, who 
entertained with a song. "From '61 to "65,'' and in response to 
the encore, gave a fiute solo on a walking stick borrowed from 
the audience. 

Comrade John L. Grim, of Company D, expressed his pride 
of his old regiment. He contended that no nation showed such 
affiliation with Christianity as ours. "We have never suffered 
defeat from the Revolution to the war with Spain. This is truly 
God's country. The Rebellion was a war in which an etTort was 
made to tear asunder the Flag. God was back of us. The 
American conquest resulted in greatest fatality, with the right 
against the wrong, and God was with the right. The merchant, 
the minister, the lawyer and mechanic lay aside their work and 
took to the field. History cannot record the story, even if written 
in the blood of the fallen. Mam- a mother has awaited the return 
of her son, who fills an unknown grave. We have gone up the 
ladder of fame, until now we stand as the dictator to all the world 
at the very pinnacle of fame. The American Xatinn has gone 

315 



Aiifii'lam Rciiiiidii. i(;04. 

continuously forward, until the Stars and Stripes wave where the 
sun never sets." 

George W. Channell, of I'ort Carbon, said, among other things : 

"I am the bashful, timid soldier of the regiment. I)ut will obey orders. 
You have heard so much patriotism to-day that it is unfitting for me to 
take your time. I am glad to meet with jou. I am pleased to see so 
many \\i\es of the comrades grace these occasions with their presence. 
The suffering and the sacrifices made by the women of our land were as 
great as that of the soldiers on the field. This Nation has reached an 
advanced position not reached by any other nation. We have said to the 
foreign nations to extend certain rights to the people of the Antilles. We 
have always stood in behalf of downtrodden humanity." 

Rev. Dr. Boyle, of the iiith Pennsvlvania \ ohmteers, said: 

"I greet the men of the Twelfth Corps, and am proud of your record 
on the battlefield. Your monument lepresents the American \'olunteer. 
more particularly the patriotism of the 124th Regiment. The great intel- 
ligence of the American soldier is a matter of universal record." 

He made comparison between the Civil War and the present 
conflict in the far East. He was proud of the personnel of the 
124th. 

Colonel Oliver C. Bosbyshell, of the Antietam Battlefield 
Commission, and late of the 48th Pennsylvania A^olunteers, 
expressed great satisfaction in meeting with the 124th Regiment. 

Colonel John P. Nicholson, of the Gettysburg Battlefield Com- 
mission, said : 

''I would like to be a speechmaker and talk to you with lips and heart ot 
flame. ]\Io?es never carried to his people a more perfect solution than did 
Lincoln bear to the people at Gettysburg. I am opposed to all things that 
deprive us of power with God, the love of family, greed for money and the 
problem of graft. I want you to feel that this Government of the people, 
for the people, and by the people, must not perish from the earth." 

Captain Charles Lawrence, United States Xavy. said : 

"Is it surprising that the people of this nation are heroic, when we know 
them as descendants of those people who four hundred years ago left their 
homes in Europe to establish a home in the Western Wilderness. The 
Infant Republic then founded now stands a giant among nations. God 
inspired the French aid given the Colonies in Seventy-six. I have great 

316 



Antictam Reunion, 1904. 

admiration for the American soldier. I am not a soldier, but served in the 
navy under Farragut. God's hand lias been forever shown in the affairs of 
this great country." 

The Association passed a vote of thanks to the church officials 
for the use of the building, and after the benediction the meeting 

adjourned. 

Among those present were three surviving members of the first 
Mointment Committee, appointed September 17, 1888. They 
were Robert M. Green, Joseph Showalter. and George M. 
Thomson. The other seven members of the committee, consisting 
of Colonel Benjamin Brooke, David F. Houston, Captain Charles 
W. Roberts. Captain Edward F. James, Lieutenant Ralph 
Buckley, Joseph B. Hinkson, and ^lilton ^IcFadden, had passed 

to the Great Beyond. 

Of the Monument Committee of ten, appointed September \y, 
1889, Robert AI. Green was the only surviving member at the time 
of the dedication. 

Of the thirteen regimental organizations whose monuments 
were dedicated at this time. Colonel Hawley, of the 124th, is said 
to be the only surviving field officer. 

On Sunday morning, the various places of interest on the 
battlefield were visited by the excursionists, and at 1.30 P.^ M. 
the special train left Antietam Station for the return trip. Upon 
reaching Gettysburg, many of the excursionists stopped, for the 
purpose of visiting that sacred spot. The train, with those 
remaining in it, arrived in Philadelphia at 8.00 P. M. All who 
participated in the excursion expressed pleasure for the excellent 
arrangements that had been made for their comfort, and thus 
ended^ one of the most enjoyable pilgrimages ever made by the 
Association and its friends. 

[Note: On other pages will be found a detailed account of 
the excursion to Antietam. the dedication of monument of the 
124th, the names of members of regiment who participated, a 
photograph of the survivors present, the prayer of Chaplain 
Joseph S. Evans, addresses of Colonel Joseph ^^^ Hawley and 
Robert M. Green. Also the details pertaining to the transfer oi 
monuments to the I'nited States Government.] 

317 







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BRANDYVVIXE SPRINGS PARK. 

(Tzvciify-first Reunion.) 
Septemt.Kk i6, 1905. 

The twenty-first annual reunion of the survivors of the 124th 
Regiment, Pennsylvania \olunteers (marking the forty-third 
anniversary of the Battle of Antietam), was held at Brandy wine 
Springs Park, near Wilmington, Del. The turnout of memhers 
and their families numbered more than 200. They came to the 
park from Philadelphia, Chester, Wilmington, Coatesville, West 
Chester, Media, and other nearby points, and all were provided 
with badges, commemorative of the occasion. 

The members from Philadelphia and Chester were accom- 
panied by the Boys' Band, of the Glen Mills School, numbering 
35 pieces, under direction of Prof. P. P. Brown. 

The; Business Meeting. 

Was called to order at 11 A. M., in one of the commodious 
pavilions, with Colonel Joseph W. Hawley presiding, and was 
opened with music, "The Star Spangled Banner," by the band, 
followed by a medley, after which an appropriate prayer was 
ofifered by Rev. Joseph S. Evans, chaplain of the Association and 
formerly of the regiment. 

The complete and interesting minutes of the trip to Antietam 
and the reunion there, last year, were read by Secretary Edward 
T. Harlan, after which Colonel Hawley made his annual address, 
as follows : 

Comrades and Friends of the 124th Regiment, Pennsjdvania VoUm- 
teers : We meet here to-day on the forty-third anniversary of the most 
severe day's battle of the Rebellion. The Battle of Gettysburg was a 
greater battle, but it extended over three days, while the battle of Antietam 
was fought on one day and shows, as I have said, the greatest loss in killed 
and wounded on one day of any battle during the rebellion. 

General Longstreet says in his history that the number killed and 
wounded on the Confederate side was 10,746. and he gives our loss at 
11,657. You may not know it, but your regiment is noticed in Longstreet's 
history as one that he was compelled to front in that battle. 

We entered into this battle with but a few days' experience as soldiers, 
as but a few days over a month had expired since we were quietly engaged 

320 



Braudya'iiic Spriiii^s Park Reunion. 1903. 

in our daily roiuine of business at home. I may he wrong, but I have 
always thought it was not the intention to place us at the front, but hold 
us in reserve until a later time in the day and for whatever emergency 
might occur, but instead of that we were in the thickest part of the battle in 
the famous bloody cornfield, on the extreme right of the line very early 
in the morning, and before 9 o'clock our wounded, including myself, were 
being carried off the field. I am happy to say our regiment remained on 
duty all day. and with the rest of the new troops were complimented for 
their good work. 

A year ago we completed our work of several years, and erected a beauti- 
ful monument on the battlefield of Antietam, worthy of all the labor and 
money expended in its erection, and the committee in charge well deserve 
the thanks of this Association for having so well performed their arduous 
duty. 

We have stiTl unfinished another duty, namely, the publication of the 
history of the regiment. Comrade Robert ]M. Green, the chairman of com- 
mittee in charge of this publication, in fact, the one who has sole charge 
of the work and has spent months collecting and arranging matters of 
interesting and historical facts connected with the. service of the regiment, 
becomes thoroughly discouraged with the little interest the members of the 
Association exhibit in the desire we have to hand down to our children a 
history of what service their fathers lendered to our Government in the 
daj's of her great struggle for existence. Nearly every member will sit 
down and tell an interesting V'^rsonal experience to a friend, but you cannot 
get him to put it on paper and send it to Comrade Green. 

Our number is slowly decreasing, and each year we read the names cf 
our comrades who have crossed the great divide, and but a few years 
remain to the few who arc left, so I m-ge again if you have anything that 
will be of interest to those we leave behind us let it be printed in our his- 
tory and be preserved. 

I am sorry to inform you tliat Comnide Green was in a railroad wreck 
a few days, ago in Colorado, and only reached home this week, and is not 
able to join with us to-da}-, which he greatly regrets, as it is the only meet- 
ing he has missed. We will send him our sympathy and wish him a speedy 
recover)'. 

Report of the Obitu.\ry Committee. 

The Obittiary Committee reported the deaths of the following 

members since the last retinion : 

Peter Gamble, of Company F, died May 4. 1905. 
Jacob S. Stott, of Company A, died July 23. 1905. 

John W. Walker, of Company A, killed on Pennsylvania Railroad, 
October 29, 1904. 

James Speakman, Company A. died in Kansas. 
James ]\IcElhaney, of Company G. 
Philip Nawn, of Company H. 

21 321 



ISraiidyxciiic Sfriiii^s /'ark l\cituinn. 1(^05. 

Other deaths were reported by several members, but no data 
were given, so it was urged ui)on all members learning of the 
death of a eomrade to notifv Secretary I larlan. so that the records 
may be kept accurate and complete. 

ElJ'XTlON Ol' Ol'l'lCKKS. 

The following officers were re-elected for the ensuing year: 
President, Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, Media, I'a. ; vice-president. 
Robert M. Green, 1415 \'ine Street. Philadelphia: treasurer, Joel 
PTollingsworth. W'allingford, Pa. : secretary. Edward T. TIarlan, 
2444 North Seventeenth Street. Philadelphia. 

Colonel Hawley then announced the following appointments : 
Executive Committee : Jesse Darlington, John Standring, George 
D. Miller, William Trainer, Jr., Charles Moore. Penjamin T. 
Green, Charles Broadbent. Obituary Committee: Jnhn 1). 
Ploward, Robert '\\. Green, David S. Wilkinson. 

Placiv or' Xkxt ]\Ieetixg. 

The following places were nameil at which to hold the reunion 
on ''Antietam Day" next year: Richmond, \'a. ; Washington. 
D. C. ; Gettysburg, Oxford, West Chester, and A^allev Forge, Pa. ; 
Antietam, Md. ; Atlantic City, N. J. ; it was also suggested 
that a steamer be chartered, and the regiment spend the day in 
a trip down the Delaware River. The matter of selecting the 
place of next meeting was referred to the Executive Committee, 
with power to act. 

The Regimental History. 

Colonel Hawley again called attention to the fact that the aid 
of all the members was solicited in the work of the proposed 
publication of the regimental history, imder the direction of 
Comrade Robert M. Green. This book will contain over 200 
pages, with the roster and history of the regiment, records of all 
the annual reunions, history of the handsome monument erected 
last year on Antietam Battlefield, the addresses of Colonel 
Hawley, Comrade Robert M. Green, Governor Pennypacker. 
Secretary of War, Rev. J. Richards Poylc, Thomas J. yStewart, 

'222 



Bi-aiidyi\.'iiic Spriiii^s ['ark Rcmiiuit, lyo^. 

and many other items of interest, together with nearly lOO 
ilKistrations and portraits ; among them are those of President 
Lincohi, General McClellan, General Meade, General Hooker, 
General Mansfield, General Kane, Governor J'ennypacker, Colonel 
Hawley, Lieutenant-Colonel Litzenberg, Lieutenant William C. 
Dickey, Colonel Benjamin Brooke, Captain Norris L. Yarnall, 
Charles P. Keech, John W. Marshall, and others, the old Dunker 
Church, I'urnside Bridge, National Cemetery at Antietam, 
Chancellor House, etc. 

MusTC Axn SpfjvCti. 

An enjoyable concert was given by the band, including the 
rendition of "Marching Through Georgia," "Tenting To-night 
on the C)ld Camp Ground." and other war-time songs, hx a chorus 
of mixed voices. 

Rev. John W. Say res, chaplain-in-chief of the G. A. R., 
Department of Pennsylvania, was called upon for an address, 
when, among other things, he said that he was pleased to be with 
the survivors of the 124th Regiment, and was proud of the record 
they had made. His reference to President Roosevelt's interest 
in behalf of peace in the far East evoLed loud applause. He said 
there was "Providence in the adoption of our flag, the stars 
of heaven being linked to the rainbow ; victory has ever followed 
our flag, and none had been so honored as our banner. There 
is no better class of men anywhere than the citizen soldiers of 
this Republic. 

Tiiii Dinner. 

Music by the baud followed, and then dinner was served. 

The Camp-fire. 

Soon after all had partaken of the l)ountiful repast, the camp- 
fire was started by Colonel Hawdey, when Corporal "Tom" Kay, 
the well-known entertainer, gave his flute solo on a cane borrowed 
from a spectator. Rev. ]\lr. Thatcher, pastor of the Baptist 
Church, of Chester, was called upon for an address. He spoke 
briefly, and expressed his regrets that his youthful age had pre- 
vented his participation in the \\'ar of the Rebellion. 



Brandyii'inc Spriiv^s Park Reunion, 1905. 

"Every American citizen can l)e proud of his citizenship, for tlie veterans 
have left us a rich heritage, an unrivaled nation, with territorial integrity. 
We have the principle of human brotherhood. Here are all men regarded 
in equality. We thank the soldiers for an undivided country, and now 
peace encircles the whole world. We thank you tor your devotion." 

John L. Grim, of Philadelphia, a former drummer boy of the 
124th Regiment, and at present a member of the Pennsylvania 
G. A. R. Staff, was the next speaker. He referred to several 
reminiscences of Chancellorsville and other campaigns. Con- 
cluding, he said : 

"It is the duty of the old soldiers to close up the gap with fraternal feel- 
ing. Comradeship was welded in the fires of battle. God intended this 
nation to be the greatest in the world. We have taught other nations 
sciences, etc., and we now stand on the pinnacle of education." 

He made a stirring appeal for patriotism, and was greeted 
with a continued storm of applause. 

Rev. William H. Shaffer, of the Chester M. E. Church, paid a 
glowing tribute to the dear, old flag and the devotion of the 
soldiers of the Republic who saved the Pinion. In conclusion, 
he said : "May God bless you and aid you to live long." 

Prof. George \V. Channell, Company K, now of the Port 
Carbon public schools, made a few remarks, and introduced his 
son, Rev. G. Wayne Channell. pastor of the Trinity ]\P E. Church, 
Philadelphia, who made a ringing speech. He said that he was 
always glad to express his thankfulness to the old veterans for 
the blessings now enjoyed through their sacrifices. He alluded 
to the bravery of the troops in the nuiuerous struggles on the 
battlefields of the South. "All glory, then, to the old Flag, which 
should never be disgraced nor dishonored." 

Rev. John W. Sayres, chaplain of the Departiuent of Pennsyl- 
vania, Grand Army of the Republic, made a few reminiscent 
remarks, and after a song or two by Corporal "Tom" Kay, assisted 
by the assemblage, the reunion exercises came to an end. 

After a short session of renewing old acquaintances and 
forming new ones, the assemblage departed, all greatl} pleased 
with the day's outing and its varied enjoyment. 

324 



Brandyzvinc Springs Park Reunion, 190$. 

The Roster. 

Following is the register of those present, so far as could be 
obtained, but does not include all who attended the reunion : 

Staff. — Col. Joseph W. Hawley ; Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans ; Sur- 
geon, Dr. Joseph R. Martin. 

Company A — Harmon G. Bond, George W. Tyson, John M. Windle, 
David S. Wilkinson, Samuel B. Smiley, Wilmer W. Glisson, Samuel Byers. 

Company B — George W. Ayres, Charles W. Broadbent, Thomas H. Kay, 
John J. Wilkinson. 

Company C — George E. Taylor, Thomas McFadden, David Picrson, J. Z. 
Webb, Joel S. Greenfield, John R. McFadden. 

Company D — John L. Grim, Benj. T. Green, John D. Howard, Wm. T. 
Inries, Charles Moore, George D. Miller, Henry C. Warburton, Pennell 
Stackhouse, Edward B. Green, Stephen T. Smith, Jesse Darlington, B. F. 
Thomas, Charles Watkins. 

Company E — Wm. H. Burns, Elias W. Copeland, Ezekiel R. Griffith, 
Edward T. Harlan, secretary. No. 2444 North Seventeenth Street, Phila- 
delphia ; S. S. Johnson, William Mercer, Oliver R. Patterson, George M. 
Thonr^on, Samuel J. Thompson, Fred. T. Ingram, Josiah Burnett, Wm. B. 
Hanna, Jos. W. Hall, Isaac L. Harvey, Charles S. Kearns, Charles H. 
Kitzleman, Joseph Hampton. 

Company F — John S. Baldwin. Caleb S. James, George R. Maxton, I. 
Walton Martin, Joseph W. Martin, Townsend [Mercer, WMliam W. Potts, 
Evan A. Mercer, George F. Bailey. 

Company G — Wilmer Wood. William Mendenhall, Lorenzo D. Farra, 
W. H. Houck. 

Company H^Joseph Arment, Charles Bonsall, James C. Hinkson, Sam- 
uel Heacock, John Standring, Wm. Trainer, Jr.. Benjamin F. Hirst, Robert 
Casey. 

Company I — N. G. Garrigan. James Cunningham. 

Company K — Enos C. Baker, George L. Osborne, George W. Chaunell, 
William Kane, Andrew Yoder, W. S. Miller. 



.?25 



JOHN L. c;rim. 




When the Civil War 
broke out John L. Grim 
was a boy of seventeen 
livino- with his father on a 
farm near Mecha, Pennsyl- 
vania. At the hrst call for 
three months" men, he tried 
to enlist, but was rejected 
three times on account of 
a,^e. iMually he was ac- 
cepted in Company D, 
Fifth Pennsylvania Cav- 
alr\-, Cameron Dragoons, 
at Paoli. Pennsylvania, 
July 30th, 1861. He 
served in that ret;iment 
until December. i86t, 
when he was discharged 
for disability by reason of 
typhoid fever. He re- 
enlisted August 4th, 1862, 
in Company D, 124th Penn- 
s}lvania, and served until the muster out of the regiment. 
May, 1863. On June 17th, 1863, he re-enlisted in the 29th 
Pennsylvania Volunteer ]\lilitia. Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, 
commanding, and served until the regiment was discharged. 
He then entered the United States Military Construction Corps, 
and while serving in that department was captured l)y Moseby's 
guerillas ; escaping from them, he served with the corps until the 
close of the war and was discharged at the age of twenty-one as 
su]ierintendent of one of the divisions. 

Although but a drummer boy, he was ordered by General Kane 
at the battle of Chancellorsville to take the drummers, pack mules 
and cooks to the rear ; he disobeyed the order and went into the 
fight, and was afterwards presented with a drum major's sword 
for bravery, with the inscription, "Drummer Poy of Chancellors- 
ville." 

Comrade Grim is Past Commander and an active worker in 
Courtland Saunders l\)st, \o. 21, Grand Arm\- of the l\cinil)lic. 

326 



1861. 





igo;. 



LENAPE PARK REUNION. 

( Ti^'cu ty-scco ud A n n iiaJ.) 
September 17, 1906. 

The twenty-second annual reunion of the survivors of the 124th 
(marking the forty-fourth anniversary of the Battle of Antietam) 
was held at Lenape Park, a few miles from West Chester, Pa. 
Members of the regiment and friends, numbering more than 200. 
were transported from the West Chester Station to and from 
the park by electric cars. The Boys' Band, of 35 pieces, of Glen 
Mills School, in charge of Prof. P. P. Brown, was in attendance. 

The roster of the veterans present follows : 

Staff — Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans; Surgeon, Dr. Joseph R. [Martin. 

Company A — Harmon G. Bond, William Epright, David S. Wilkinson, 
Wilmer Glisson, Samuel B. Smiley, George W. Tyson. 

Company C — George G. Taylor, David Pierson, John H. Greenfield, Joel 
Greenfield, W. Harrison Worth. 

Company D — John D. Howard, J. Millson, Charles Moore, George D. 
Miller. Joel Hollingsworth, Edward B. Green, Jesse Darlington, Stephen T. 
Smith, John Pugh, John F. Worrilow, Henry C. Warburton, Jesse Darling- 
ton, Jr. 

Company E — Fred. T. Ingram, Joseph Hampton, Wm. Y. Townsend, 
Joseph W. Hall, Josiah Burnett, Ezekiel R. Griffith, William H. Burns, 
Joseph B. Taylor, Edward T. Harlan, William Mercer, Isaac Harvey, 
Samuel J. Thompson, George ]\I. Thomson. 

Company F — I. Walton Martin, Townsend ]\Iercer, Joseph W. ^Martin, 
Evan A. Mercer, George R. Martin, John S. Baldwin, Caleb S. James. 

Company G — William ^lendenhall, Wilmer Woods. 

Company H — William Trainer, Samuel Heacock, George W. Poole, 
Joseph Arment, William T. Chandler, John Standring, Robert M. Green, 
Lewis C. Megonigal, Charles Bonsall. 

Company I — William Hampton. 

Company K — Joseph C. Freel, Jesse Walter, Jacob Berkeheizer. James F. 
Cunningham, Enos C. Baker, John Holstein, George Harkins, George L- 
Osborne, Henry S. Burns, B. Frank Sharp. 

Business ]\Ieetixg. 

Comrades and friends, escorted by the band, assembled in the 
dancing pavilion, and the meeting was called to order at 11 A. M., 
by Comrade Robert M. Green, vice-president of the Association. 

329 



I.ciiapc I'iirk Reunion, /yo6. 

J le announced that Colonel Hawley (president) was unavoidably 
detained in Europe, and expressed his regrets that he could not 
be with us. and that it was the first reunion he had failed to attend 
since the organization of the Association. 

Rev. Joseph S. Evans, chaplain of the Association, and formerly 
of the regiment, offered an appropriate prayer. 

The minutes of last year's reunion were read by Secretary 
Edward T. Harlan, and were approved. 

Comrade Green stated that he was still suffering from the 
injuries received in a railroad wreck of a year ago, and asked to 
he excused from making any extended remarks. He called the 
attention of the comrades to the fact that sufficient subscriptions 
had not been received to justify him in printing the records which 
he had ])repared at the direction of the Association at its meeting 
in Antietam, in 1904. 

The Obituary Committee reported the following deaths: 

Casncr Pi^e, at Alljion, Midi., August 8. 1904. 

Menaiida Slack, at Golden, Colorado), May 5, 1905. 

Rev. John W. JNIiles, at Romansville, Septem1)er 26, 1905. 

James Lynch, at Oxford, Pa., Septemlier 28, 1905. 

John W. Kenible, at Asbury Park, N. J., Octol)er 2, 1905. 

David Laird, at Downingtown, Pa., February 23. 1906. 

Thomas H. Kay, at Philadelphia, March 22, igo6. 

Gardner Kelly, at Wallingford, Pa., April 8, 1906. 

William Keech. at Downingtown, Pa., April 19. 1906. 

Brinton J. Heyburn, at Concord. Pa., April 28, 1906. 

Edward Jackson, May 11, 1906. 

Elias W. Copeland, in Highland Township, ^iay 29, 1906. 

Benjamin T. Green, at Cumberland, July 6, 1906. 

Ellis W. Ford, in Valley Township. July 18, 1906. 

.After the report was read, the chairman requested Chaplain 
hA'ans to make some remarks as a supplementary report ; the 
chaplain paid a high tribute to the deceased comrades, and 
referred especially to the death of Corporal Thomas H. Kay, who- 
he said, had met with us in so many of the reunions of the past, 
and had rendered innocent amusement that he was so peculiarly 
adapted for. 

Comrade John Pugh spoke in favor of printing the records 
that Comrade Robert AT. dreen had given so much time in pre- 

.^30 



Loiapr f'arlc Reunion, i(^o6. 

paring. He aroned that as the work liad l)ecn authorized by the 
Association, comrades should subscribe hberally for the books, 
and thereby aid in its pubUcation. 

The followino-named officers were unanimously re-elected: 

President, Joseph \V. Haw ley. 
Vice-President, Robert 3^1. Green. 
Secretary, Edward T. Harlan. 
Treasurer, Joel Hollingsworth. 
Chaplain, Rev. Joseph S. Evans. 

The ( )bituary Committee was appointed, as follows : 

John D. Howard, 

John Pugh, 

David S. Wilkinson. 

TiiK Xkxt Reunion. • 

For some vears past the Executive Committee had selected the 
place for holding the reunions, but, on motion, it was decided that 
the members of the regiment present should vote on the question. 
Several places were named, and the balloting resulted as follows : 

West Chester, Pa i-^ 

Antietam, ^\d i° 

Richmond, Va -U 

The latter place was decided upon, with a possible side trip to 
the Jamestown Exposition, the arrangements to be completed by 
the Executive Committee. 

Chairman Green stated that he would defer the appointment 
of the Executive Committee until the return of President Hawley. 

When the business meeting adjourned. Chairman Green stated 
that, owing to his feeble condition, he would ask Comrade Jesse 
Darlington, chairman of the Executive Committee, t& take charge 
of the camp-tire, to be held after dinner had been partaken of. 

Tilt: C.\.Mi'-FiKK 

Was held in the dancing pavilion, commencing at 2.30 o'clock, 
and was opened by a pleasing concert by the Glen Mills Band. 
In the absence of Colonel Hawley, and \'ice-President Green 



Lenapc Park Reunion, iqo6. 

not feeling able to preside at this meeting. Comrade John Pugh. 
of Conshohocken, was selected to preside, and, in a brief address, 
thanked the Association for the honor conferred. He then intro- 
duced, as the first orator, Walter S. Talbot. Esq., of West Chester, 
who, in opening his address, said it was fitting that these old 
soldiers should meet in reunion on the banks of the historic 
Brandywine, and within a short distance of the battlefield at 
Chadd's Ford. He reviewed, in eloquent terms, the services of 
the heroic 124th at Antietam, Chancellorsville, and other fields 
of carnage. He referred to the brave boys in blue who fill the 
graves in Dixie land, where the pines sift the moonlight over 
their mounds. 

The veterans are models for the rising generations, who will 
receive their lessons of patriotism from the valorous deeds of the 
soldiers. The address was punctuated with veins of patriotic 
reference, which were vigorously applauded by the audience. 
"The Star Spangled I'>anner" and other selections were then 
played by the band. 

Francis Fisher Kane, of the Philadelphia Bar. a nephew of 
General Thomas Leiper Kane, commander of the brigade to which 
was attached the 124th Regiment after the Antietam Battle, was 
introduced, and gave some reminiscences of his honored relative, 
and concluded with a brief oration on the theme of "Comradeship." 

Following another pleasing selection by the band. Colonel John 
Wainwright, Wilmington, Del., late commander of the Ninetv- 
seventh Pennsylvania \'olunteers, was called upon, and expressed 
pleasure in being present. He paid a tribute to the Union soldiers, 
and especially to the valor of the 124th Regiment. 

By request. Comrade John A. Chambers, of Company A, con- 
tributed a vocal solo, "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground." 

Rev. Wayne G. Channell. pastor of a Philadelphia M. E. 
Church, and son of Comrade George W. Channell, of Port 
Carbon, Pa., made a brief address on "Patriotism," teeming with 
eloquent oratory. He spoke of the brotherhood of man. and the 
freedom obtained by the devotion of the soldiers to this great 
Government. His allusion to the labors of President Roosevelt 
was vigorously applauded. The unlimited resources of our 
country received sf^nic attention by the speaker. 

332 



Lciiapc Park Reunion, iqo6. 

Norbert B. Hamilton, of West Chester, entertained with a 
vocal solo, "Tlie Holy City.'' 

Music, "Rally Round the Flag," by band. 

Recitation, "Blue and Gray at Antietam," by Miss Alartin, of 
Christiana. ' . 

\'ocal solo. "I am just as young as I used to be," by James 
Fryer, of Chester. 

Solo, John Pugh, of Conshohocken. 

]\lany citizens visited Lenape during the afternoon, and 
attended the camp-fire. 

After music by the band, the assemblage dispersed. 

[Note by Editor: The reunion at Lenape Park was the last 
one held by the Regimental Association prior to the printing of 
this history. The records of the various reunions as published 
herein are largely due to the efficiency of the secretaries of the 
Association and to Mr. Geo. B. McCormick, an associate member. 

When we started out on our annual pilgrimages, the faces that 
had upon them the bloom of youth have now become seamed with 
the weight of years, and the annual reports of the obituary com- 
mittee show that our ranks are rapidly diminishing and that 
many loved comrades have gone to their eternal rest. But, beauti- 
ful and sweet is the memory of the dead when the remembrance 
ot their lives comes back to us, fragrant with gentle words and 
unselfish acts.] 



333 



THOMAS II. KAY. 

r>orn in Edinburgh, Scotland. May 14, 1836. Emigrated with 
his parents, and landed in Chester, Pa.. September 17th. of the 
same year. 

He was known in the regiment as Corporal Kay, of Company 
B. After the term of service of the 124th had expired, he 
re-enlisted with the Ttj/th 1 Pennsylvania \olunteers. 

He was a member of Philip R. Schuyler Post, Xo. 51, Depart- 
ment of Pennsylvania. Grand Army of the Republic. Pie was an 
active member of the Regimental As.sociation of the 124th from 
the date of its organization until the time of his death, March 22, 
1906. Bv reference to the records of the annual reunions, it will 
be seen that at the camp-fires connected with those occasions, he 
added much to the enjovment bv singing comic songs and giving 
flute imitations on a cane. 

His most popular song, and one that has delighted thousands, 
is the "Old Cofifee Kettle," published on another page. 

He was verv ]iopular as a humorist among the membership of 
the Grand Army of the Republic throughout tb.e State of 
Penns\l\-ania. 



334 




THOS. H. KAY. 



THE OLD COFFEE KETTLE THAT HUNG OX A POLE. 
Siinn hy Corporal Tho)iios H. Kay at rciiiiioiis. 

How (k-ar tu dur licarts arc the days when we soldiered, 

As fond recollection presents them to view ; 
The long line of earthworks, the deep tangled thickets 

And every rough spot that our army life knew. 
The long parks of cannons with harness and saddles, 

The picket-roped horses oft trying to roll; 
The cook-house, the guard-tent, the muskets stacked nigh it. 

And the t)ld cofifee kettle that hung on a pole. 

Chorus. 
The sheet-iron kettle, the smutty old kettle. 
The old cofifee kettle that hung on a pole. 

Thirteen dollars a month for standing as targets, 

For heaps of cold lead and old iron and steel ; 
But Grant says we're better for what we endured then, 

And we can't make a point on the general's deal. 
We ate "salt horse" and hard tack in all kinds of wenlher. 

Some rations we drew and some others we stole ; 
But still, my old chums, we will always remember 

The old coffee kettle that hung on a pole. 

How dear to this day are the forms and the faces 

Of those v\ ho stood by us in those trying times ! 
But so many are gone from the ranks and their places, 

That it mightily shortens the c riginal lines. 
But marching and fighting we all well remember. 

And everything trying to body and soul; 
But one thing we had that was genuine pleasure. 

'Twas the old coffee kettle that hung on a pole. 

Now most of us, comrades, arc feeble and cripples. 

Our heads growing gray with the fast fleeting time; 
But though in this world still our muster roll shortens, 

We know it grows long in a happier clime. 
Soon all of us, comrades, must pass over Jordan, 

And leave all we have for the ferry-man's toll, 
But never till then can you make us surrender. 

The old cofTee kettle that hung on a pole. 



22 337 



A Prominent Grand Army Post 

Honors Members oe the 

124TH. 

George G. Meade Post, No. i, 
of F^hiladelphia, Department of 
Pennsylvania. Grand Army of the 
Republic, had on its roll of mem- 
bership the following named com- 
rades who had belonged to the 
124th: 

Colonel Benjamin Brooke, 
Hunter Brooke, 

William B. Bunker. 
Lorenzo F. Davis. 
William T. Innes, 
Robert M. Green, 
William G. Knowles, 
John W. Marshall, 
W. Wayne Vogdes, 
William Pusey West, 
Charles J. Esrev. 



Of these, W. Wayne Vogdes, Robert M. Green. John W. Mar- 
shall and Benjamin Brooke became commanders of the post. In 
the year 1894, when Robert M. Green was commander, John W. 
Marshall was senior vice-commander, and Benjamin Brooke, 
junior vice-commander, so that during that year, the three import- 
ant offices of that great post were filled by comrades who had been 
members of the 124th. 

Meade Post has the honor of having on its roll the name of 
General Ulysses S. Grant, and on its roll of honorary members, 
that of President Theodore Roosevelt. 

When the Grant Memorial, on Riverside Drive, New York, was 
dedicated, April 2y, 1897, Col. Benj. Brooke and Robt. M. Green 
were selected as part of the committee from Meade Post to escort 
Mrs. Grant and family during the ceremonies. 




3.^8 







x^>-<-4A>/ 



SAiAlL'EL WHITAKER PENNYPACKER. 

GO\"KRXOR OF rKXNSVIAAXIA. 

Was born in Phoenixville, Pa., April 9, 1843. Enlisted in 
1863, joined Company F, of the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Emer- 
gency Regiment, and was an active participant in the battle of 
Gettysburg". In 1866 graduated in the law department of the 
University of Pennsylvania, and at once engaged in the practice 
of law. 

In 1887 was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the 
United States; in 1889 was appointed Judge of Court of Common 
Pleas in Philadelphia by Governor Beaver, and in same year, was 
elected lo the same position for a term of ten years ; in 1899, 
was re-elected for a similar term. In 1902, was elected Governor 
of Pennsylvania, and on April 14, 1903, signed the bill appro- 
priating $32,500 for the erection of thirteen monuments on the 
battlefield of Antietam, among the number that of the 124th 
Regiment. 

In addition to his own military record, his grandfather, Joseph 
Whitaker, w^as a private in the War of 181 2. His great grand- 
father, Isaac Anderson, was a lieutenant during the Revolution, 
his great, great grandfather, Patrick Anderson, was a captain in 
the French and Indian War, and commanded the Pennsvlvania 
Musketry Battalion in the Revolution and was a Major in \\^ayne's 
Chester County Regiment. Plis great, great grandfather, Edward 
Lane, was a private under General Braddock in the expedition to 
Fort Duquesne in 1775. 

Three of his forefathers were killed at At>incourt. 



341 




THE BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION. 

On April 14, 1903, Governor Pennypacker approved the bill 
appropriating $2,500 for each of thirteen monuments to be erected 
on the battlefield of Antietam, and appointed the following com- 
mission : Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, president ; Colonel Oliver 
C. Bosbyshell, secretary, and General William J. Bolton. 

The commands whose deeds of valor it was decided to com- 
memorate are given on another page. 

The commission, soon after its appointment, conferred with 
the committees of the survivors' associations of the dififerent 
regiments ; designs were submitted and a contract for the thirteen 
monuments was awarded to the Van Amringe Granite Co., of 
Boston, Mass., at the price of $2,500 each. 

The 124th Regimental Association (having collected funds 
from members and others ) had previously decided upon a design 
for their monument and it was approved by the commission, con- 
ditionally that the Regimental Association should pay the addi- 
tional cost over and above the $2,500 appropriated by the State. 
Chairman Robert M. Green, on behalf of the Monument Com- 
mittee, accepted this condition and signed the contract recited 
upon another page. The price agreed upon in the contract was 
four hundred dollars less than the same company had otTered 
to build the monument for, prior to the time when the commis- 
sion decided to give it the contract for the entire thirteen. 

The comrades of the 124th, felt so grateful to Governor Penny- 
packer for having signed the appropriation bill that the writer 
deemed it but just that his portrait and a short sketch of his life 
should be jniblished herein. 

342 



HISTORY OF THE MONUMENT 

OF THE 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH. 

At the fourth annual reunion of the Regimental Association, 
held at Chester, September 17, 1888, a committee was appointed 
to secure ground on which to erect a tablet in honor of the regi- 
ment on Antietam battlefield. 

The committee named was David F. Houston, Chas. W. Roberts, 
Edward F. James, Benjamin Brooke, Jos. Showalter, Ralph 
Buckley, Robert M. Green, Geo. M. Thomson, Joseph B. Hink- 
son and Milton McFadden. 

Comrade Houston, the chairman of the committee, was a man 
of fine physique and the picture of health, but on the 16th of 
February of the year following his appointment, he was injured 
by a fall and died a few minutes thereafter. 

The committee failed to obtain the desired ground and at the 
reunion of the association held in Wilmington, Del., Septembei 
17, 1889, a new committee was appointed as follows: Robert M. 
Green, Captain Chas. W. Roberts, Lieutenant Ralph Buckley, 
Lieutenant Wm. C. Dickey, Colonel Benjamin Brooke, Thos. W. 
Taylor, Chas. P. Keech, Captain Edward F. James, Joseph B. 
Hinkson, Captain W. W. Stott. 

No further mention of the tablet is made in the records of the 
association until the reunion at Antietam, September 17, 1894, 
when it was decided to place the monumental tablet as near as 
possible to the spot where Colonel Hawley was wounded. 

At the reunion held September 17, 1895, at A'alley Forge, Com- 
rade John W. Marshall moved that the next State Legislature be 
memorialized for an appropriation to procure suitable monumental 
tablets to be placed on Antietam Battlefield in honor of the Pennsyl- 
vania regiments which fought at Antietam and did not participate 
in the struggle at Gettysburg. The motion was carried, and John 
W. Marshall, Colonel Jos. W. Hawley, Colonel Benj. Brooke, 
Wm. B. Broomall and Thos. T. Smith were named as a committee 
to prepare suitable memorials to submit to the Legislature. This 
committee was continued at the reunion held September 17. 1896, 

343 



History of Moiiuiiicnt. 

at Chancellorsville. No report was made by it until, at the reunion 
held at Castle Rocks Park, September 17, 1901, when it reported 
that at the last session of the State Legislature, an appropriation 
of $1,500 was made to each of the following- regimental asso- 
ciations: Forty-fifth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, looth, 124th. 125th, 
128th, 130th, I32d and 137th Pennsylvania Infantry. Governor 
Stone reduced the appropriation to $750. The following resolu- 
tion was then adopted : That Colonel Hawley appoint a committee 
and that it be empowered to raise funds (other than the amount 
provided for by the Legislature) to select and secure a proper 
site for a monument for the 124th on the battlefield of Antietam, 
and to procure a monument that will be an honor to the regiment 
and a fitting recognition of its valor, and to substantially erect 
same on said site. 

The following named connnittee was appointed : 
Captain Joseph Pratt, chairman; James Cheetham. David Cox, Robert 
Yl. Green, Col. Benj. Brooke. Henry C. Warburton. George W. Roberts, 
J. Frank Black, Robert Woodside, Amos Bonsall. David S. Wilkinson, 
John L. Grim, Rev. Joseph S. Evans, John Pngh. Henry B. Black, Hunter 
i'.rooke, C. D. M. Broomhall. 

During the following winter the committee met, and, on motion 
of Colonel Benjamin Brooke, Robert M. Green was elected 
treasurer of the fund. A circular was sent to the members of 
the association requesting contributions, and at the eighteenth 
annual reunion, hekl at Downingtown. September 17, i<)02. the 
treasurer reported having received $575 in cash and ]:)romised 
subscriptions of $350. The committee announced that it had 
declined to accept the State appropriation, which Governor Stone 
reduced from $1,500 to $750. 

In the early spring of 1903, Col. Jos. W. Hawley, Captain Jos. 
Pratt and Robert M. Green were appointed a sub-committee with 
instructions to visit the battlefield at Gettysburg and examine the 
monuments there, and prepare plans to be submitted to a future 
meeting- of the general committee. They did as directed and Com- 
rade Green was authorized to prepare plans for a monument. As 
soon as these were completed, a meeting of the general committee 
was held, and on motion of Comrade John Pugh, it was agreed to 
recommend the plans to the Association at its reunion to be held 
at Castle Rocks Park on the 17th of September. 

344 



History of Monuuioit. 

IVior to this meeting. Captain Pratt became ill and Robert M. 
Green was elected chairman of the committee. 

At the reunion of the Association. September 17, 1903, Chair- 
man Green submitted the two plans he had prepared and an- 
nounced that the last Legislature had passed a bill (introduced 
by the Hon. Thos. V. Cooper of :\Ledia) appropriating $2,500 
and that same had been approved by Governor Pennypacker. 
Comrade John I'ugh moved that the design prepared by Comrade 
Robt. M. Green (estimated to cost $5,000) be adopted. This was 
agreed to and the following Committee on Monument was ap- 
pointed : 

Robert JNL Green , J<,Iin Pugh 

Jolin D. Howard Joel Hollingswortii 

IJLMiry C. W'arburlon 

A canvass among those present resulted in securing $75 in 
cash and $400 in subscriptions. 

On September 19th, Comrades John Pugh, John D. Howard 
and Chairman Green visited the Antietam battlctield and together 
with the Battlefield Commission, selected a site for the monument 
at Starke Avenue and Hagerstown Pike, near the Dunker Church. 
This location, in the opinion of the committee, is one of the most 
desirable on the battlefield, and being located on a Government 
avenue, there was no cost for the ground. 

A short time after returning home, Chairman Green issued 
another circular to the survivors of the regiment and their friends, 
ap])ealing for contributions and stating that if the funds in hand 
February i, 1904. were sufficient to justify him in making a 
contract, he would agree to have the monument ready for dedi- 
cation on the 17th of the following September. 

This appeal was liberally responded to and on the first of Feb- 
ruary, 1904, the Battlefield Commission having approved the 
plans, the chairman entered into a contract with the Xtxu .Vmringe 
Granite Co., of Boston, as follows : 

Contract for the AIonument. 

This Memorandum of agreenunt. made at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
this first day of February. 1904. between the \'an Amringe Granite Co . 
of Boston. Mass.. and Robert M. Green, acting for and on behalf of tlie 
Society of the 124th Pennsylvania Regimental Association. 

345 



Contract foi Moumnciii. 

WITNESSETH : Said Van Amringe Granite Co. agrees to fnrnish and 
set complete, npon foundation provided by said Van Amringe Granite Co. 
in Antietam ( Sharpshurg), Maryland, a statue memorial to he in accord- 
ance with design furnished by the committee of the 124th Pennsylvania 
Regimental Association, and approved by the Antietam Battlefield Com- 
mission of Pennsylvania. 

The foundation of said memorial to be of such height above present 
level of ground as may be directed ; the general dimensions above founda- 
tion being : Base, nine feet long, nine feet wide, with total height over all 
of nineteen feet seven inches ; the pedestal of granite being eleven feet 
seven inches high, in six courses, and each course a single stone. The 
bronze statue to be eight feet to top of cap. In addition to the bronze 
statue there are to be one bronze plate of standard size, with Pennsylvania 
Coat of Arms thereon, and four round bronze plates eighteen inches in 
diameter, with such inscriptions in raised letters as may be approved by 
the Pennsylvania Commission. All bronze plates to be sunken three- 
eighths of an inch from lace of granite to face of plates, and to be 
securely fastened therein, and the sharp edges of granite around them to 
be slightly chamfered. 

Three gables on third course from bottom to be polished, and in the 
fourth is to be inserted the bronze plate of Pennsylvania coat of arms, and 
on the other three gables and on such other parts as may be directed, there 
is to be such lettering as may be approved by the Pennsylvania Com- 
mission. A star, indicating corps badge, to be (cut raised) on upper course 
of pedestal as may be directed. 

It is understood by both parties to 'his agreement that the total- cost of 
said memorial is to be four thousand, six hundred dollars ($4,600.00) com- 
plete, as per the above requirements. That the State of Penn.sylvania, by 
act of appropriation, has contracted to pay the sum of two thousand, five 
hundred dollars ($2,500.00), and that Robert M. Green hereby binds the 
Society of the 124th Pennsylvania Regimental Association to pay the bal- 
ance of two thousand, one hundred dollars $2,100.00). 

All the materials and workmanship are to be of the best quality, free 
from iron, rust, knots, or other defects. The bronze to be of the best 
Government standard. The pedestal lo be of Westerly granite of best se- 
lected stock ; all to be approved by the Penn.sylvania Commission. 

And in consideration of the faithful performance of the foregoing, 
the said Society of the 124th Pennsylvania Regimental Association herebj 
agrees to pay to the order of said Van Amringe Granite Co. the sum of 
two thousand, one hundred dollars ($2,100.00), as follows: One hundred 
dollars ($100.00) upon signing hereof (the receipt of which is hereby, 
acknowledged), and two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) upon the completion 
of said memorial in accordance herewith ; and it is hereby agreed and 
understood that the said memorial is to be completed not later than the 
eighth day of September, IQ04, contingent only upon strikes and labor 
troubles beyond the control of the said Van Amringe Granite Co. 

Upon receipt of personal or written notice of completion of said 

346 



History of Monument. 

memorial, the Society of the 124th Pennsylvania Regimental Association 
agrees to have its representative inspect same, and failure to do so within 
ten days shall constitute its acceptance. 

(Signed), 

The Van Amringe Granite Co., 
SEAL W. B. Van Amringe, President. 

of the For the Van Amringe Co. 

Van Amringe (Signed), 

Granite Co. Robert M. GrEEN, 

For the Society of the 124th 
Pennsylvania Regimental Association. 

After thr Contract was Signed. 

At the request of Chairman Green, Mr. Van Amringe consented 
to let the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co., of New York, model and 
cast the statue. This company at once proceeded with the work 
and upon information that the clay model was ready for inspection, 
Comrade John Pugh and Chairman Green, on behalf of the com- 
mittee, visited the studio of the bronze works in New York. 
Upon arrival they were informed that Mr. Van Amringe had 
preceded them and had given the sculptor positive orders that any 
changes that the committee might recommend were to be adopted. 
Several pleasant hours were spent with the genial manager, Mr. 
W. F. Aucaigne, who graciously asquiesced in making numerous 
changes (in the uniform and accoutrements) that the committee 
suggested. 

The same two members of the committee visited the studio 
on several subsequent occasions, and when the model was trans- 
ferred to plaster of paris. they accepted the design and had it 
photographed, and the picture on another page is an exact 
reproduction. 

The Philadelphia Piihlic Ledger, learning of the model, sent 
its representative to New York, and, in its Sunday edition, 
published an illustration of it, with the following comments : 

"The soldier lad with grounded musket has been modeled for the 124th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and will be unveiled this summer on the field of 
Antietam to commemorate an engagement on the spot during the famous- 
battle of the Civil War. It is called 'At Ease Rest.' The sculptor, in 
accordance with the wishes of the veterans of the regiment, has followed 
faithfully the uniform and accoutrements of the winter campaign when 
they were in service, and. in the handsome face, he has presented a fine type 

347 




I'liofo by Louis O. Green. Sciil/itor, Pierre Feitu. 

Statue of Monument ok thk 124TH. 



Dcscnptio)i of Moiiuiiicnt. 



riKTL- i> imicli iiKirc life to this soldier than one 
xiys in blue' surmounting the war monuments of a 



of Young America, 
finds in the ordinary 
thousand towns and villages, — "boys in blue' turned out by the hundreds 
in all sorts of materials — marble, granite, limestone, bronze, spelter and 
lead. May new monument committees come into being and replace these 
machine-made soldiers with figures in which the imagination and person- 
ality of a real sculjilor can display themselves.'' 



DESCRIPTION OF ^lONUMENT 

OF THE 

ONE HIXDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH 
l^EXXSYUANIA \'OLUNTEERS. 



The pedestal is of Westerly 
granite, eleven feet seven inches 
liigh. in six cottrses, each cotirse 
consisting- of a single stone, the 
base being nine by nine feet, six- 
teen inches thick and weighing 
betwen nine and ten tons. 

( )n the third course from bot- 
tom are four gables ; in the one 
facing Starke Avenue, a bronze 
plate with the Pennsylvania Coat 
of Arms is inserted ; on the one 
facing Hagerstown Pike is en- 
graved : 



It was near this spot 

that the regiment 

within six weeks 

after leaving home 

took an active part 

in this great struggle. 

( )n opposite side is engraved : 

Recruited in 

Chester and Delaware Counties 

August, 1862. 

For nine months' service. 




349 



Description of Monument. 
And on the one in rear is engraved : 

Casualties 
At Antietam 
Killed 5 
Wounded 42 
Missing 17 

In the body of the shaft, four bronze plates, eighteen inches in 
diameter are inserted. A copy of the one on the left face is shown 
herewith. 



SEPT 17 1862 

ANTJETAM 



CHANCEUORSVILLE 

MAY 123 1663 i 




The one in front has on it in raised letters : 

124th 

Pennsylvania 

Volunteer 

Infantry. 

The one on right face having on it : 

1st Brigade 
ist Division 
1 2th Corps. 
The one on rear face having on it : 

Erected by 
State of Pennsylvania 

and 

Survivor's Association 

1904. 

Colonel Hawley's name is engraved on front of fourth course 

from bottom, and the badge of the Twelfth Corps, a star, is cut 

raised on the upper course on front. 

350 



Description of Momitiicnt. 

The bronze base of the statue is 28 x 28 x 4 inches and the 
height of the statue is 8 feet 4 inches to top of cap. It is made 
of Government Standard bronze and weighs more than 2,500 
pounds. The uniform and equipments are a correct representation 
of those worn by the regiment during its winter campaign, and 
the object of the committee in making such selection was that 
they might be preserved as a matter of history. 

The chairman of the committee received many flattering com- 
ments on the beautiful proportions of the monument, but it must 
be seen to be properly appreciated. 

The Antietam Battlefield Memorial Commission, in its report 
to the Hon. Sanutel W. Pennypacker, Governor of Pennsylvania, 
pays the following tribute to 

The Monument of the i24Tn. 

"An 8-foot bronze statue of a volunteer infantryman of '61 to '65, in full 
uniform and with fixed bayonet, represents the 124th Infantry Regiment. 
Heavy top-coat and cape, full regulation equipment, even to the detail of 
the familiar tin-cup, is accurately shown in this statue, and the composition 
and carefully worked out details reflect great credit on the artist, Mr. 
Pierre Feitu, a French sculptor of wide reputation in his own country, 
France. 

"The pedestal of this memorial is of Westerly, R. I., granite, the only 
pedestal of the thirteen not composed of the Barre, Vt., granite. This 
pedestal has six stones in its makeup, three bases, a plinth, die and cap. 

"The bases and die stone are rough quarry, faced with hammered 
margins, while the plinth and cap stones are fine hammered. This contrast 
of surfaces of granite in this particular pedestal affords a most striking 
and effective contrast, and with its size, 9 feet square at base, and 11 feet 7 
inches high, together with an 8-foot 4-inch bronze statue, making a total 
height of 19 feet 11 inches, makes it the most imposing regimental 
memorial on the Antietam fields." 

[NoTi' — The historian takes great pleasure in saying that of 
the thirteen designs for monuments and inscriptions submitted 
to the War Department at Washington for approval, that of the 
124th was the only one of the thirteen in which no chances were 
made. This should be satisfactory evidence of the good judgment 
exercised by the committee in the work assigned them, and it 
ought to prove very gratifying to the members and friends of the 
regiment who contributed to the erection of the monument.] 

351 



PREPARING FOR EXCURSION TO DEDICATE 

MONUMENT. 

In the latter part oi May, 1904, Chairman Green was assured 
by the president of the \an Amringe Company that the monu- 
ment of the 124th would be completed in time to be dedicated 
on the 17th of September. Acting on this assurance, Comrade 
John Pugh, of Conshohocken, and Chairman Green proceeded to 
Sharpsburg (arriving there at one o'clock in the morning) to 
ascertain what accommodations were available for excursionists 
who would take part in the dedication ceremonies. After a 
canvass of the town, they engaged rooms in twenty-four promi- 
nent private houses ; sufficient to accommodate two hundred per- 
sons. Being the first of the regimental associations to visit the 
town for the purpose, desirable rooms were secured and favorable 
rates obtained. 

THE TRIP TO ANTIETAM 
TO ATTEND DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 

W'siS by special train of the Pennsylvania Railroad, leaving 
Broad Street Station. Philadelphia, at 9.15 A. M., September T6th. 
stopping at Paoli, Frazcr. Downingtown. Coatesvdle. Lancaster 
and Hagerstown, arriving at Antietam Station at 4.15 P. M. 

The excursionists numbered more than 200, and Robert ^F. 
Green, chairman of the Executive Committee, was in charge. 
The trip was an enjoyable one and upon arrival at station, car- 
riages were in waiting to convey the members to Sharpsburg; 
each had been furnished with a ticket and the name of the house 
to which they were assigned, and in a few minutes after arrival 
at the village, all were comfortably provided for. The carriages 
to meet the train had been engaged by Comrade Joel Hollmgs- 
worth and Robert M. (ireen, Jr., they having gone to Sharpsburg 
on the preceding day for that purpose. 

The souvenir badges that had been prepared by the chairman 
and distributed to the excursionists on the train, consisted of 
white satin ribbon, three inches wide and six inches long, con- 
taining two crossed flags in colors and embossed, and the words — 
"20th Annual Reunion, 124th P. V. Association." Attached to 
the top of the badge was a medallion, with a picture of the monu- 
ment, and the words, "Dedication of Monument at Antietam. 
September 17, 1904." 

352 



PROGRAMME OF SERVICES 



Pennsylvania Day 

ANTIETAM. :: :: :: MARYLAND 



Saturday^ September ijth^ 1904 



124th SURVIVORS' ASSOCIATION 



©r&cr of JExercisee 

The Monument of the 124th will be dedicated and unveiled at 9.30 A. M. 

The Ceremonies will take place at the site of the Monument 

on Starke Avenue and Hagerstown Pike, near 

the Dunkcr Church. 



Joseph W. IIawley, Colonel of the 124th, and President of 
Survivors' Association, Presiding. 

PRAYER— Rev. Joseph S. Evans, 

Chaplain of the 124th. 

ADDRESS — Robert M. Green, Chairman of Monument Committee and 

Vice-President of Survi\-ors' Associatitm. 

UNVEILING— Mrs. J. M. Thompson, 

Daughter of Col. Joseph W. Hawley. 

"AMERICA"— Singing by Audience. 

PHOTOGRAPH— Survivors of Regiment. 



Camp Fire and Business Meeting of Association on Saturday evening. 
Time and place to be announced at Dedication of Monument. 



ANTIETAM BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

Joseph W. Haw^lEy, 124th Regiment. President; 
Oliver C. Bosbyshell, 48th Regiment. Secretary, 
William J. Bolton, 51st Regiment. 

-> ■» T - ■> 



DEDICATION CEREMONIES. 

The thirteen monuments were dedicated between the hours of 
nine and twelve, each regimental association holding its own 
exercises. 

Dedication oi" the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth. 

The dedication of the 124th attracted the largest number; 
nearly one thousand persons congregated about the shaft, which 
was veiled with two large American flags. The occasion was 
honored by the presence of Governor Pennypacker and staff, the 
Antietam Battlefield Commission of Pennsylvania and other dis- 
tinguished visitors. Joseph W. Hawley, Colonel of the regiment 
and president of the Survivor's Association, presided. 

Rev. Joseph S. Evans, of West Chester, Pa., former chaplain 
of the regiment, offered prayer as follows : 

"Eternal and Ever-Blessed God : We approach the throne of grace, 
this day, with feelings of deep gratitude and thanksgiving. As we stand 
upon this hallowed ground, we come with vivid memories of Thy good- 
ness to us in the past. 

"We gratefully praise Tliy holy name that we can ascrihe to Thy pro- 
tecting care, our preservation from the shafts of death, on the dark day of 
the fierce hattle's strife, when numbers of our comrades gave their life 
blood that our gkirious Nation might live. We praise Thy name that the 
sacrifice was not in vain. We praise Thee for the sweet, blessed peaceful 
ness of our surroundings this day. We thank Thee for the joy that 
thrills our hearts as we gaze upon our l)eautiful flag, the eml)lem of peace 
throughout this great Nation and the wonder and admiration of the 
nations of the world. 

"We beseech Thee, O God, to bless and keep this great Nation in the 
hollow of Thy hand. Rule and overrule in all that pertains to the peace 
and welfare of the people. Be pleased to guide by Thine unerring 
wisdom, those who make and those who administer our laws, that peace 
and prosperity may be the portion of this Nation in all the future. 

"And now we come with tender memories of the past to invoke Thy 
special blessing upon us, as we dedicate this monument to the memory 
and honor of those of our comrades whose life blood stained the hal- 
lowed ground upon which we stand ; to the memory of those who have 
been mustered out of our ranks by the silent messenger during the years 
that have intervened since the days of our struggle for right against 

354 



Address, Col. Jos. ff. flazi'lcy. 

wrong on this field, and whose bodies repose beneath the hallowed ground 
made sacred by their lives Bless us as we dedicate it to our beloved 
State of Pennsylvania and to our great Nation as a token of the patriotism 
of those that went forth in the 124th Regiment, to die, if need be. that 
our glorious flag might be kept unsullied and our country undivided. May 
this monument prove to future generations that the sacrifice has not been 
in vain. 

"And now, God of all grace and goodness, accept our heartfelt grati- 
tude and praise for Thy loving care over us;for this day and th's hour; 
for this gathering. 

"Still be our God and the God of our Nation, and when our service here 
is finished, and we are all mustered out of the ranks of the 124th Regi- 
ment, may we all be found enlisted under the glorious banner of Thy 
dear Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

"We ask it in His name. 

"May grace, mercy and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy 
Spirit, go with us and abide with us forevermore. Amen." 

At the conclusion of the prayer Colonel Hawley spoke as 
follows : 

"As President of the 124th Regiment Association, it seems proper that 
I should say a few words before passing this monument over to the State 
authorities, not, however, giving you a history of the services of the 
Regiment, as that will be done by others, but merely to say a few words 
of congratulation that we have been able, with the $2,500 appropriated by 
the State of Pennsylvania, and the generous contri1)utions by inembers of 
the regiment and kind friends to erect such a magnificent monument to 
commemorate the services of our comrades as the one we are now 
dedicating. 

"Forty-two years have elapsed since we clashed arms on this ground. 
and only a remnant of that regiment of young men are living to-day. and 
it becomes our pleasant duty to dedicate this memorial in the name of all 
who took part in that great struggle. 

"I have had many pleasant messages from our comrades, who, on 
account of infirmity or other unavoidable circumstances, could not be with 
us on this happy occasion, and they all send congratulations to this 
Association, that we have accomplished our desires as expressed at our 
many reunions, and that the monument of the 124th Regiment is an accom- 
plished fact. 

"I now take pleasure in introducing to you as orator of the day. Com- 
rade Robert M. Green, of Philadelphia, chairman of the committee for the 
erection of the monument, and vice-president of the Survivors' 
Association." 



355 



ADDRESS OF ROBERT M. GREEN. 

"Governor Pcnnypackcr and Staff, Comrades and Friends of the I24lh: 
Unfortunate is said to be the nation that does not mourn over the tombs 
of its defenders, or in some way manifest its remembrance of the lives 
and deeds of its heroes. The placing of flags and flowers upon the graves 
of our comrades on Memorial Day is symbolic of our Nation mourning, 
and the monuments that have been erected upon this and other battle- 
fields throughout our land are emblematic of our Nation's gratitude to 
its heroes. If our Nation were to erect a granite shaft or bronze statue to 
perpetuate the memory of the deeds of each and every one who gave his 
life in its defense, it would never want for patriots in its time of need. 

"A few years ago I stood on the old stone bridge at Concord, Mass., 
and I saw there the monument that had been erected to the memory of 
the Minute Men, who, on the first day of the American Revolution, 
checked the march of the British soldiers from Boston. On that monu- 
ment was this inscription: 

" 'By the rude bridge that arciied the flood, 
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled. 
Here, once the embattled farmers stood, 
And fired the shot heard round the world.' 

"One hundred atul tliirty years have passed since those farmers left their 
plows in the furrows to fire that shot, but from that day until the present 
the echoes of it have reverberated from every hilltop, throughout every 
valley, and in every hamlet upon the face of the globe where liberty- 
loving men are found. From the day that shot was fired uiuil the present, 
each and every monument that has been erected to commemorate the 
valor, the patriotism, the loyalty of an American soldier or sailor, has 
constituted a bulwark upon which those echoes will continue to resound, 
so long as the love of lil)erty burns within the human breast. 

"Comrades, forty and two years ago to-day you were here, face to face 
with all the horrors of war, an armed foe ruled by the mad pa-ssions of 
hate was in front of you, the glitter of bayonets, the rattle of musketry, 
the roar of camion, tiie shriek of flying shells, the groans of wounded and 
dying, and upturned faces of the dead (both friends and enemies) were 
all around you. 

"The battle of Antietam was, in some respects, the greatest and most 
momentous of all the battles of the Civil War ; the Union loss in killed 
and wounded, within the sound of a gun shot from this spot, is said to 
have been greater in that one day than in any two days of any other battle 
ever fought upon the American continent ; and Horace Greeley said that, 
'When the sun set on the 17th of September, 1862, it shut from sight the 
bloodiest day in American history.' 

"I will not attempt to describe the part the 124th and other Pennsylvania 
commands took in that great conflict. One more capable than I has been 
selected for that purpose, and I advise you to attend the general dedica- 

356 



Address, Robert M. Crcoi 

tion services in the National Cemetery this afternoon to hear him. When 
you were ordered into that hattle you were new recruits, untrained in the 
arts of war; in front of you was the left wing of the army of the South, 
composed of veterans of many battles. Less than five weeks had elapsed 
since you left your peaceful homes, and much of that time had l)een spent 
in marching, so that little opportunity had been given you for drilling, 
and you scarcely knew the company commands. With your colonel 
wounded early in the battle, and your officers knowing but little more of 
military movements than you yourselves knew, you were expected to do 
the work of veterans in assisting to prevent the right flank of our army 
from being turned. That you acted the part of brave men and won for 
yourselves an imperishable record of glory is evidenced by the fact that 
General McClellan made favorable mention of the regiment in his report 
to the War Department, and that the histories of the South record your 
bravery. 

"But, comrades, what a change in your ranks since that day forty-two 
years ago; when you went into battle almost one thousand strong and 
were in the full vigor and strength of young manhood, filled with the 
ambitions of youth ; your steps elastic and your eyes undimmed ; but now 
your lives are behind you, the shadows have grown longer, the infirmities of 
age are fast coming upon you, the evening is setting across the valleys, and 
a maiority of our comrades have crossed the river to answer the final roll- 
call on the other shore. But, as we stand here to-day upon this sacred 
spot and look backward, we cannot fail to realize the marvelous growth of 
our Nation during the years that have intervened, and glancing back- 
ward, catching an inspiration from the past, w^e look forward with the 
eye of faith to the time when in grandeur and glory, it will eclipse all the 
nations of the earth. 

"It is sometimes said by the older nations that we are a country without 
a history, but I claim that we have a history more remarkable than was 
ever before recorded of any other nation. When we take into considera- 
tion the great underlying principles upon which our Government was 
established, it stands unique among the countries of the world. Founded 
as it was upon the basis of hutnan liberty and equal rights to all, there 
were none others to copy from. Founded as it was upon principles never 
before adopted by any other nation, it did not even enter into rivalry with 
the in.stitutions of other lands, and so firmly did our forefathers estab- 
lish its foundations, and so wisely and carefully have their descendants 
continued to erect the structure, that to-day the voice of the United States 
is heard and listened to in the consideration of every question in which 
the civilized nations of the globe are interested. 

"Tt has been your privilege and mine to live in a period of time not 
only the greatest in the history of our own Nation, but in many respects 
the greatest in the history of the world; we have seen our country grow 
and develop from an experiment, as it were, to that of a power fearing 
none, but feared and respected by all. and respected because it is feared. 

357 



Address. Robert M. Great. 

When you and 1 were young, the term "frontier" was apphed to all that 
part of it west of the Mississippi, but to-day it has no frontier; a new 
power has been given to it, welded by the blood of four hundred thousand 
of its loyal sons, and its possible dominion and inHuence is as wide as the 
world and as universal as the atmosphere. 

"The world is to be congratulated that this new birth (as it were) has 
been given to us, and mankind cannot comprehend the great part this 
Nation is destined to fulfill in the uplifting of humanity ; and, let me say 
to you that what you and your comrades did from 1861 to 1865, so changed 
conditions as to make this new birth possible. In my opinion, the transi- 
tion period wherein we passed from an almost unrecognized force among 
nations to that of world-wide power and influence, was the period em- 
braced by the Civil War, and the work that you and your comrades did 
has been instrumental in placing our flag upon the highest peak of the 
mountain range of nations, there to float as the emblem of a power that 
commands the respect of all mankind, so that under its folds every 
citizen, even to the humblest toiler, shall have protection throughout the 
whole world. 

"President Roosevelt, in his letter of acceptance of a few days ago, 
paid a worthy tribute when he said : 'The man who fought for Union and 
for liberty in the years from 1861 to 1865, not only saved this Nation from 
ruin, but rendered an inestimable service to all mankind. We of the 
United States owe the fact that to-day we have a country to what they 
did." 

"Now, comrades, I know you are anxious to see your monument, but 
before we unveil it, let us for a few moments forget the present and 
permit our thoughts to go back, and live over again in memory the sacred 
events of our army life. As we go back to the scenes of '61 to '65, we 
hear again the stirring music of fife and drum, we see the great 
assemblages of people and listen to the patriotic addresses of orators as 
they plead for volunteers, we see our young friends as they boldly step 
forth from the crowd and enroll their names for enlistment ; we see them 
as they stand with uplifted hand and take the oath of allegiance to support 
the Government ; we see them as they part from those they love, some 
receiving the blessings of fathers, some parting with mothers who hold 
them to their breast and cannot speak for weeping, some bending over 
cradles and kissing babes that are asleep, some bidding farewell to wives 
and sweethearts and striving with brave words to drive the awful 
sorrow from their hearts; we see them as they start away with waving 
banners, trying to keep step to the martial music of war. 

"As we follow them, we see them on their weary marches through sun- 
shine and rain, through dust and mud, sleeping upon the bare ground with 
no covering but the bending sky. We see them as they stand guard under 
the summer's sun and in the cold winter's storm. We see them in the 
hospitals maimed and crippled, burning with fever, we see them in prison 
pens enduring agonies that cannot be described, we see them upon the 

358 



Address, Robert M. Green. 

decks of our men-of-war and upon bloody battlefields (such as this was), 
torn with shot and shell, wild with thirst, and as their brave lives- ebb 
away, we see their eyes open, and stooping to listen, we hear them say, 
'Comrade, write and tell them I died for my country,' and as the gray 
pallor of death settles over their faces we see their lips move, and, stooping 
again, we hear them with their last expiring breath asking heaven to 
bless and comfort their loved ones at home. 

"Can we forget the scenes I have described? Are they not indelibly 
written upon the pages of our memory, there to remain so long as memory 
remains with us? 

"Now, our main object in assembling here to-day is to dedicate this 
monument that kind friends and a grateful Commonwealth have assisted 
in erecting. It is made of granite and bronze that will for ages to come 
resist the elements of nature, and long after you and I have passed to the 
great beyond, it will remain as a reminder to future generations of the 
dark hours ; of the terrible conflict ; of the great contest that you here 
participated in, and in which so many of our young comrades shed their 
blood for the life of the Nation. As we stand here to-day in its presence, 
and look back through the years that have passed, our hearts are filled 
with emotion as we sigh for the touch of vanished hands and for the 
sound of voices that are still, and to the memory of our departed com- 
rades, and in honor of the glorious record of the 124th, I now dedicate it, 
and, on behalf of the committee, present it to you." 

As Comrade Green ceased speaking, J\[rs. Justice M. Thompson, 
of Media (datighter of Colonel Hawley), assisted bv Robert M. 
Green. Jr., of Philadelphia, pulled the cord that bound together 
the flags, and they, falling apart, displayed the beautiful shaft to 
the assemblage. When the cheering had ceased, and the audience 
had sung the National anthem, "America,'' the survivors of the 
regiment assembled around the monument, and were photo- 
graphed by Mr. W. H. Tipton, of Gettysburg, after which a 
photograph of all the excursionists was taken. 

This concluded the ceremonies, and it is but just to say that 
the oration of Comrade Green was listened to with close attention, 
and during its recital many of the old veterans shed tears as he 
related the reminiscences of the army days of 1861 to 1865. 



359 



ROBERT M. GREEN. 




1862. 



Son of Peter Wickershani and 
Rachel McCav Green, was Ijorn in 
Chichester Township, Delaware 
County, Pennsylvania, March 26, 
1842. His early life was spent on a 
farm in Chester Township adjoining^ 
the village of Upland. When seven- 
teen years of age, he engaged with 
William Gamble, of Brandywine 
Summit, as an apprentice to learn the 
carpenter trade, and a few months 
prior to the expiration of his term 
enlisted in Company H. of the T24th. 
Shortlv after enlistment he was prostrated by typhoid fever, 
and after spending four months in hospitals, was discharged for 
disability. 

Upon restoration to health, he located in Chester, and engaged 
in building. When the call was issued for volunteers to serve 
during the emergency of 1863, he enlisted as corporal of Company 
A, Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Militia, and served with it until 
the regiment was discharged. 

May 27, i860, he married Miss Louisa B. Gelston, of Chester. 
In 1874 he moved to Philadelphia, and engaged in the manufac- 
ture of soda water apparatus, and at this writing his four sons 
are associated with him. 

In 1894, was elected commander of George G. Meade Post, 
No. 1, Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic. 
In 1902, was elected treasurer of the monument fund, and vice- 
president of the 124th Regimental Association, to succeed the 
late Colonel Benjamin Brooke. In 1903, was appointed chairman 
of the committee to prepare plans and superintend the erection 
of the regimental monument at Antietam. 

On September 4. 1905, was severely injured in a collision of 
railroad trains near Denver, Colorado. 

He is a member of the Masonic F'raternity, of the I'nion 
League, of Philadelphia, and of the Pennsylvania Society of the 
Sons of the Revolution. 



360 








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1904. 



VICE-PRESIDENT I24TH REGIMENTAI. ASSOCIATION. 

CHAIRMAN AND TREASURER MONUMENT COMMITTEE. 

HISTORIAN OF THESE RECORDS. 

















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Tlie survivors of the regiment present at dedication were 



C"('l. Josrpli W. 1 law ley 
Ciiiiplain Joseph S. Evans 
CdMl'ANV A. 

Hi-rmon C llond 
John T. Cliambcrs 
George W. Tyson 
F.dward G. Davis 
John U. Windle 
j)avid S. Wilkinson 

COMI'A.NV B. 
Geo. W. Ayres 

Company C. 
David E. Kirk 
Joseph M. Showaller 

COMl'ANV D. 

J. Frank Black 
Jvdward B. Green 
John L. Grim 
Jknjamin T. Green 
John D. Howard 
Jot-l Hollingsworlli 

CoMPA^"^ E. 
William 11. Burns 
Elias W. Copeland 
Ezekiel R. Griffith 
William H. Hanna 
Edw. T. Harlan 
S. S. Johnson 
Charles H. Kitzclman 
William Mercer 
Oliver R. Patterson 
William H. Rumer 
Erazer S. Patterson 
]3avid E. Townsend 
George M. Thomson 
Jos. H. Brensinger 
Charles W. Broadhent 
William Henry 
Thomas H. Kay 
Edward D. Sipler 
Edw. Worrall 
John J. Wilkinson 
John Fryer 
William A. Dobbins 
William Major 
John ]\Iajor 
William T. Innes 



Charles Moore 
George D. Miller 
James Newsome 
I iuiry S. Paulding 
Jolm Pugh 
B. Frank Thomas 
Charles W. Watkins 
Hairy C. Warburton 
Pennell Stackhouse 
Samuel J. Thompson 
Franklin Frame 
Fred. T. Ingram 

Company F. 
Mifflin W. Bailey 
John S. Baldwin 
Peter Gamble 
Caleb S. James 
George R. Maxton 
I. Walton Martin 
Joseph W. Martin 
Townsend A. fiercer 
Wm. W. Potts 

Company G. 
W'ilmer Wood 

Wayne M. Bishop 

Lorenzo D. Farra 

Ellis W. Ford 

Company H. 

Joseph L. Armcnt 

Charles Bonsall 

Robert M. Green 

James C. Hinkson 

Samuel F. Heacock 

Benjamin F. Hirst 

John Standring 

William T. Shoemaker 

William Trainer, Jr. 

Company I. 

S. Frank Pennell 

Company K. 

Enos C. Baker 

James F. Cunningham 

George L. Osborne 

B. Frank Sharp 

George W. Channell 

William D. Wilkinson 

William S. Miller 
3^5 



ORDER OF EXERCISES. 

The following is a copy of program issued by the Battlefield 
Commission for the transfer of monuments to the United States 
Government. 

PENNSYLVANIA DAY 

AnTIETAM, r\[ARYLAND. 

Saturday, Septcinbcr ij , 11)04. 
Transfer of the Monuments to the United States Government 

In the National Cemetery. Sharpsburg, at 2 o'clock P. M. 

Joseph W. Hawley, late Colonel i24tli Regiment 

Pennsylvania Volunteers, Presiding. 

MUSIC — "The American Overture" B. Cat tin 

Carlisle Indian Industrial School Band. 

PRAYER— Rev. Samuel A. Holman, D.D. 

Late Chaplain 48th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

MLTSIC^"Star Spangled Banner" 

Carlisle Indian Industrial School Band. 

TRANSFER OF THE MONUMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR OF 

PENNSYLVANIA. 
Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, President of the Commission. 

ACCEPTANCE OF SAME AND TRANSFER TO THE GOVERN- 
MENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
Hon. Samuel W. Pennypacker, Governor of Pennsylvania. 

RECEIPT ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE 

UNITED STATES. 

General Robert Shaw Oliver, Acting Secretary of War. 

MUSIC— Grand Selection of War Songs Pd Beyer 

Carlisle Indian Industrial School Band. 

ADDRESS 

"Pennsylvania at Antietam." 

Rev. John Richards Boyle, D.D., Late iiith Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

MUSIC— "America." 

Audience led by the Carlisle Indian Industrial School Band. 

BENEDICTION— Rev. Joseph S. Evans, 

Late Chaplain T24th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Informal Reception by the Goz'ernor of Pennsylvania and Other 

Pistingiiished Guests. 

Antietam Battleeieed Commission of Pennsylvania. 

Joseph W. Hawley, 124th Regiment, President. 
Oliver C. BosbyshELL, 48th Regiment, Secretary. 
William J. Bolton, 51st Regiment. 

366 



Transfer of Monuments. 

Colonel Joseph W. Hawley, chairman of the Battlefield Com- 
mission, in transferring the monuments to Governor Pennypacker, 
spoke as follows : 

Governor of Pennsylvania : By an act of the Legislatnre of the State 
of Pennsylvania, approved by you on ihe fourteenth clay of April, 1903, you 
were authorized to appoint thiee commissioners, whose duty it should be 
to erect thirteen monuments on the battlefield of Antietam, to commem- 
orate the valor of those Pennsylvania soldiers who took part in that battle, 
but had not the opportunity to participate in the battle of Gettysburg, and 
have no other monuments to conunemorate their services on any 
battlefield. 

The honor of that appointment you conferred upon General W. J. 
Bolton, Colonel Bosbyshell and myself. 

We have to the best of our ability faithfully carried out the object of 
that appointment, and have erected thirteen monuments, and the survivors 
of the various regiments to whose honor these monuments have been 
erected have this day, with befitting ceremonies, dedicated them, and we 
now ask you, as the Governor of ihe State of Pennsylvania, to accept them 
in the name of the State, and place them under the control of the United 
States authorities for their future care and protection. 

In our contracts with the builders we restricted ourselves to the $2,500 
appropriated, but the members and friends of the Forty-eighth and 124th 
Regiments, l)y liberal contributions, enabled them to add to the $2,500 
appropriated l^y the State, the Forty-eighth expending $500 and the 124th 
Regiment al)out $2,500 additional, which has added very much to the 
beauty of those two monuments. 

We hope that your visit of inspection this morning was satisfactory and 
that the monuments erected met with your approval. 

I think I express the sentiment of all the survivors of the thirteen regi- 
ments to whose honor these memorials have lieen erected when I ask you 
as the representative of our State to accept their thanks for the liberal 
appropriation that has enabled them to be represented on this battlefield. 



Reception of the Monuments on Behalf of the State r>Y 

Hon. Samuel W. Pennypacker, Governor of 

Pennsyl\'.\nl\. 

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is a noteworthy fact that the State 
which was settled by a people devoted to the ways of peace, who taught 
the doctrine that a civil answer turneth away wrath, who opposed every 
aspect of warfare, and who tried to carry their principles even into their 
dealing with savage tribes, should have reached highest fame and distinc- 
tion in l)attles on sea and land. No Oiher State save \'irginia can vie with 

367 



Addrrss. Haroiutr Pciinypackcr. 

Pennsj'lvania in the number of distinguished niihtary commanders given to 
the National Government. 

We have come now from our Northern State into this, our Sister State 
on the borderland of the South, to commemorate here the achievements 
of Pennsylvania's sons. The boundary line which separates our State 
from yours is the most famous in all this Union. It is only an imaginary 
line, however, and as our people and yours pass back and forth across it, 
there has been bred in the heart of either a feeling of mutual love and 
respect. 

Wc of Pennsylvania do not forget that in the Revolutionary War, Ram- 
say, who gallantly led the Maryland line at Monmouth, was born in our 
town of Lancaster, nor do we forget that your towns of Frederick and 
Hagerstown were largely settled by people that came from our State. 

Neither do we forget that your great Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, was 
educated in our Stale at Carlisle, or that our great Chief Justices, Benjamin 
Chew and Edward Tilghman, and my predecessor, Robert E. Pattison, 
were born in your State. 

And so wc sing with you, "Maryland, My Maryland," and you sing with 
us, "John Brown's Body." 

We have come here to-day to commemorate the part our soldiers played 
in the greatest battle of the Civil War, and here, upon this field, where 
victory was won under the commandership of a son of Pennsylvania, we 
greet you. 

Antietam had a greater significance than any tether battle of the War, 
for, when we heard the news of it Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipa- 
tion Proclamation. It was due to what was done here that the pall, whicli 
had hovered over our country for 157 years, was dissipated, 

I accept these pretty monuments, beautiful and impressive as they are. 
and to you, General Oliver, I now deliver them, to be cared for forever by 
the National ( lovcrnmcnt. 

General Robert Shaw Oliver. Assistant Secretary of War, in 
acceptinj^ the monuments in behalf of the United States Govern- 
ment, said : 

"At no period in the history of our Civil W'ar were there more gloomy 
forebodings, more doubts of the success of the Union cause than in the 
late summer of i(S62. The Union victories of the early months of the year, 
in the west, at Mill Springs, Fort Donaldson, Pea Ridge and down to the 
capture of Corinth, had been followed by the victorious march of the 
Confederates into Kentucky and the retreat of Buell's L^nion army toward 
Ohio. The L^nion campaign on the Peninsula for Richmond had failed and 
the campaign abandoned. Pope's army had been defeated and driven 
within the defenses of Washington, and in the first week of September 
the Confederates, under General Robert E. Lee, flushed with victory and 
high hope crossed the Potomac into ^Maryland for the first invasion of 
the North, the i)rtifessed purjiose beiiiL; to raise a revolt in Maryland, ally 

368 



Address, Gcii. Robert Sluiw Olii'er. 

it with the Southern Confederacy, sei/.c Harrisburg, Pa., and demand the 
recognition of Southern independence from both the Unicin (lovcrnment 
and Great Britain and France. 

"The more than decimated Army of tlic Potomac, tlic shattered battalions 
of Pope and new regiments from the North, many of them from Penn- 
sylvania, were wisely put under the command of General George B. 
McClellan, who marched against Lee, defeated him at South Mountain, 
September 14th, followed him to this tit Id and jomcd battle on the 17th in 
the most sanguinary one day's contest of the entire war, and on the night 
of the i8th Lee recrossed the Potomac into Virginia. 

"The discussion of the strategy of the campaign and the tactics on this 
field is beyond our purpose, sufSce it to say that both sides. Union and 
Confederate, did their whole duty as they understood it, as Americans do 
everywhere. The immediate result of the less than tw^o weeks' campaign 
was the defeat of the invasion of Pennsylvania and expulsion of the Con- 
federates from Maryland. 

"The secondary results, swiftly following, were far reaching and mo- 
mentous. Great Britain and France paused in their almost completed 
arrangements to recognize the Southern Confederacy, and from the fresh- 
made graves on this field Aliraham Lincoln put in action his high resolve 
and gave to the world his immortal Proclamation of Emancipation, the 
greatest act of the nineteenth century, and one of the greatest acts of all 
time. 

"Here America established one of the great landmarks of its history, 
and in the doing of which Pennsylvania contributed its full and generous 
share. She gave to the Union army its commander, one of her great and 
loved sons — George B. McClellan — and among his subordinates were 
Meade, the hero of Gettysburg; Hancock, the 'Superb;' the unflinching 
Brooke ; Hartranft, Wistar, Coulter, Baxter, Oakford, Christ. Nagle, Zinn, 
.Hawley, and others, many of whose names are household words, and 
whose deeds are an inseparable part of the Nation's history and glory. Of 
the 152 Lhiion regiments engaged here, forty-three, or more than 35 per 
cent., were from Pennsylvania. Of the 12,410 Union killed, wounded and 
missing, Pennsylvania gave 2,953, or about one-fourth. 

"It is well that a State with such a record should come to this field and 
set up enduring memorials to her sons who so nobly did tlieir duty here. 
To you. Governor Pennypacker, to your Legislature, to the commissions, 
who, under your direction have so well done their work, and to others 
who have assi.sted, is due the gratitude of your State, of its people, and 
of the patriotic people everywhere, for these beautiful monuments this day 
dedicated with interesting and pathetic services. 

"In behalf of the United States, and of the Nation, it is with great 
pleasure that I receive from your hands these memorials for perpetual care 
and preservation." 



24 369 



MOXUMENTS DEDICATED. 

List of the thirteen monuments erected by the State of Penn- 
sylvania, and dedicated September 17, 1904: 

45th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry 

48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry 

50th Pennsylvania Volunteer- Infantry 

51st Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry 

1 00th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry 

124th Pennsylvania A'olunteer Infantry 

125th Pennsylvania X'olunteer Infantry 

128th Pennsylvania A olunteer Infantry 

130th Penns}-lvania A'olunteer Infantry 

I32d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry 

137th Pennsylvania A^olunteer Infantry 

1 2th Pennsylvania A'olunteer Cavalry 

Durell's Battery of Artillery 



At the session of the Pennsylvania Legislature, following the 
dedication of the above monuments, an appropriation was made 
to the regiments named below, and their monuments were 
dedicated at Antietam in September, 1906: 

3d Pennsylvania Reserves 

5th Pennsylvania Reserves 

7th Pennsylvania Reserves 

8th Pennsvlvania Reserves 



370 



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Address op Rev. J. Richards Boyle, D.D. 

Late Adjutant iiith Regiment, Pa. Vet. Vols.; 
On the Battlefield of Antietam, Md., September 17, 1904. 



PENNSYLVANIA AT ANTIETAM. 

Pennsylvania has a right to be heard on every battlefield of the Civil 
War, for she helped to give them their glory. When the great conflict 
came she sent three hundred and sixty thousand of her brave sons to the 
front, and had it been necessary she would have furnished as many 
more. On every ensanguined field, during those four terrible years, her 
beautiful banner, with its inspiring escutcheon, floated beside the still more 
glorious flag of the great Republic. On every firing line, from the first 
defiant gun at Bull Run to the last expiring shot of the rebellion at 
Appomattox, her volunteer soldiery stood like a living Gibraltar against 
the country's foes. In every battle their blood hallowed the soil. In 
every military prison they heroically bore sufferings worse than death. 
Her great War Governor, and his counsellors, consecrated their tireless 
energ}' to the Union cause. Her business men devoted their fortunes to 
it. In the church and the home, her God-fearing people prayed for it. 
One of her sons led the first fully equipped army of the Union into the 
field. Another of them fought and won on her own soil the magnificent 
battle that decided the issue. In the ranks her splendid soldiers com- 
pelled first the admiration and then the fear of her foes. Defeat did not 
dishearten, nor victory unduly exalt them. Together with their com- 
rades from the other loyal States, with sublime composure they willingly 
floundered in the swamps of the Chicahominy or gloriously scaled the 
rugged heights of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, or tri- 
umphantly won at Gettysburg, or jubilantly swung from Atlanta to the 
sea, or patiently waded the endless morasses of the Carolinas, or respect- 
fully received the surrendered arms of their adversaries at Appomattox 
and Raleigh, or uncomplainingly died in the trench or on bayonet charge. 
Pennsylvania is justly proud of the services of her citizen soldiery in the 
war for the Union. Fully and freely according the most generous measure 
of praise to the troops of her sister States, she supremely loves and cher- 
ishes her own. Therefore, on the fields of Gettysburg, Chickamauga and 
Chattanooga she has munificently raised her memorial shafts to their 
fame, and therefore through these chosen representatives, our Common- 
wealth is here to-day. 

As Abraham Lincoln said at the dedication of the National Cemetery, 
at Gettvsburg, "The world will little note, n^r long remember, what we 
say here, but it can never forget what our l:)rave men did here." In the 
great deeds of valor performed on this field on Wednesday, September 
17, 1862, the soldiers from Pennsylvania were everywhere conspicuous. A 
Pennsylvanian commanded the L^nion .\rmy on that fateful day. That 

.vo 



Address, Rcx'. J. Richards Boyle. 

nol)le Pennsylvania soldier, who, less than ten months later, was to win 
the most important battle of the whole war, and become one of the tri- 
umvirate of greatest of American captains — George Gordon Meade — 
commanded first a division and then an army corps, on this ground. The 
Pennsylvanian who was to achieve the proud distinction of being one of 
the best corps commanders in the Union Army, Hancock, "the superb," 
was here. Another Pennsylvanian, who was to become a division-general, 
and who, after the war, was to twice be elected to the executive chair of 
his State, John F. Hartranft — carried Burnside's bridge at the head of 
his regiment. One entire division and another brigade of the army were 
all Pennsylvanians, and at least eight or nine brigades were commanded 
by Pennsylvania officers in this battle. In all forty-four regiments of 
infantry, eight batteries and five cavalry battalions from that State fought 
on that day, and fifteen other Pennsylvania regiments were within sup- 
porting distance. They were in every corps and were posted on all parts 
of the field, and their aggregate losses were twenty-nine hundred and 
sixtj'-four officers and men. or almost exactly 24 per cent, of the 
casualties of the entire army. In these casualties forty-three officers were 
either killed or mortally wounded. 

It is my responsibility and honor in this hour to outline the service 
rendered by these troops on one of the most crucial days of the war, and 
I think this will sufficiently appear in the general resume of the operations 
which I shall present. 

Lee invaded Maryland on September 5 and 6, 1862, with an army of 
sixty-one thousand men. He had beaten Pope back from the line of the 
Rapidan to the defenses of Washington, and that officer had been relieved 
of command, and his army of Virginia merged into the Army of the 
Potomac, with McClellan again at its head. Lee believed that the hour had 
come for the final success of the Southern Confederacy. He persuaded 
himself that he could keep the Lhiion Army beaten, and by the bold and 
swift invasion of I\Iaryland, so influence the approaching elections in the 
North as to compel the United States Government to listen to a proposal 
for peace on the basis of independence of the insurgent States. He 
therefore suggested that Jefiferson Davis should publicly and officially 
demand these terms from the head of his conquering army on Northern 
soil But the battle of South Mountain, on September i-|th, in which his 
forces were signally defeated, and driven west of the Blue Ridge, shattered 
his plans, and compelled him either to retreat into Virginia, or risk a gen- 
eral engagement near the banks of the Potomac. He had detached a large 
force of four divisions under Jackson to capture Harper's Ferry, which 
result was promptlj^ accomplished, and Jackson's divisions countermarched 
to Sharpsburg, two of them arriving on the i6th, and the others, under 
McLaws and A. P. Hill, reaching the field in time for the battle on the 
following day. Lee, meantime, had withdrawn the remainder of his army 
from South Mountain, via Keedysville to the Antietam line. He posted his 
entire command west of the Antietam Creek, in a strong position, from a 

374 



Address. Rev. J. Ricliards Boyle. 

point one mile southwest of the village of Sharpsburg to another nearly 
two miles north of the town, his extreme left being held by Stuart's cavalry. 
Below, and about the village, are the Sharpsburg Heights, the highest 
ground on the field. Toward the north from the town, the Hagerstown 
turnpike extends to and beyond a crest on which stands a white brick 
Dunker church, which at the time of the battle was surrounded on three 
sides by a thick woods. From this turnpike north of the church the 
Smoketown road diverges northeasterly, and south of it an ancient sunken 
road, known since the battle as Bloody Lane, leads eastwardly at a sharp 
angle to Newcomer's Mill on Antietam Creek. Beyond the church, a half 
mile or less, on elevated and rocky ground, the Confederate line bent 
backward to the northwest to a point only a few hundred yards from the 
Potomac River, which at this place makes a deep westward curve to the 
mouth of the Antietam Creek. Longstreet's Corps, of nineteen brigades, 
held the right of this line, and Jackson, commanding the same number of 
brigades, was on the left— in all more than thirty-seven thousand men. 
Artillery was skillfully posted at every available point to command the 
undulating front along the entire line and the hills beyond the creek. The 
Antietam Creek itself winds sluggishly through the field of operations, and 
is crossed by four bridges, the third one of which only, on Burnside's 
front, assumed any importance in the engagement. But at this crossing 
the creek is narrow and the hills are sharp and steep. 

McClellan had seven army corps in his command, numbering in all 
eighty-seven thousand men. But of these, the Fourth Corps, under Couch, 
had been detached towards Harper's Ferry, and did not return until the 
evening of the 17th; Humphrey's Division of the Fifth Corps did not reach 
the field until the morning of the i8th, and only a small part of the re- 
mainder of the Fifth, and but one division of the Sixth Corps, the latter 
arriving at 10 o'clock, took an active part in the battle. The cavalry, under 
Pleasanton, supported the horse artillery at the center. The First Corps, 
under Hooker and jNIeade; the Second, under Sumner, the Ninth, under 
Burnside and Cox, and the Twelfth, under Mansfield and Williams, fought 
the battle of Antietam, they having in all but little more than fifty-five 
thousand men. These corps were posted from right to left in the following 
order: The First, Twelfth, Second and Ninth, with the Sixth and Fifth 
behind the center in artillery support and reserve. The heavy guns and 
the field batteries were carefully placed in position along the creek hills, and 
all suitable points in the line, and by the night of the i6th all the necessary 
dispositions were made. 

^klcClellan was compelled to attack. His plan was to assail the enemy's 
left, then his right, and if successful, to deliver a final assault on his 
center. It was admirably conceived, and was identical with Grant's plan of 
battle in November, 1863, at Chattanooga. Had it been carried out, as it 
should have been, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, with the help of the Fifth and 
Sixth Corps, there can be no reasonable doubt that the Army of Northern 
Virginia would have been destroyed. But the battle as fought consisted of 

375 



Address, Rcr. J. Richards Boyle. 

attacks on the enemy flanks only, those on liis left l)eing made by the First, 
Twelfth and Second Corps in detail. The center was never seriously 
molested, although it was attenuated beyond the danger point by the strug- 
gle on Lee's left in the morning, and on his right in the afternoon after 
Burnside had crossed. On the afternoon of the i6th Hooker crossed the 
creek near Keedysville, and shortly after 2 o'clock threw his divisions into 
line; Meade, with his thirteen regiments of Pennsylvania Reserves having 
the advance. He met Jackson's troops in a severe skirmish, but no definite 
results were obtained. At midnight Mansfield also crossed from Keedys- 
ville, and with columns closed in mass, took position on Hooker's left and 
rear, and both armies bivouacked in a drizzling rain on a field which 
within a few hours was to be indented with their struggling feet and 
drenched with their blood. 

With early daylight Hooker opened the battle. He was in position about 
one mile north of the Dunker church. His right rested on the Hagerstown 
pike, with Meade and Ricketts in front and Patrick's Brigade of Double- 
day's Division refused to the right rear^ and his left brigade, under Rick- 
etts, overlapping the Smoketown road. Seymour's Brigade, of Meade's 
Division, containing the First, Second, Fifth, Sixth and Thirteenth Penn- 
sylvania Reserves, under Col. R. Biddle Roberts, Capt. James N. Byrnes, 
Col. Joseph W. Fisher, Col. William Sinclair and Capt. Dennis McGee, 
respectively, was thrown well to the front, with Cooper's battery, the 
Thirteenth Regiment being scarcely one thousand yards from the Dunker 
church. Hoffman's Brigade, containing the Seventh Indiana, the Seventy- 
sixth and Ninety-fifth New York and the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Regi- 
ments, the latter under Capt. Frederick Williams of Doubleday's Division, 
was posted to protect the extreme right. As the day dawned Hooker per- 
ceived that the rough and wooded crest surrounding and extending north 
from the church was the strategic key to the whole field in his front, and 
his problem was to take it. The position was defended by Jackson's, 
Ewell's, Hoods and D. H. Hill's Divisions, strengthened liy Lawton's 
Divisions from Lee's right, and supported by S. D. Lee's artillery. Double- 
day and Ricketts advanced through the open ground and the east woods to 
a cornfield, and were at once furiously engaged. ]\Ieadc. with Seymour's 
Brigade in advance on their left, held IMagilton, with the Third, Fourth. 
Seventh and Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves commanded by Lieutenant- 
Colonel John Clark, Major John Nyce, Col. Henry C. Bolinger, and r^Iajor 
Silas M. Baily, on his left, and Anderson, with the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh 
and Twelfth Pennsylvania Reserves, under Lieutenant-Colonel Robert 
Anderson, Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Warner, Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel 
M. Jackson and Captain Richard Gustin, on his right, in close support of 
the advancing line. The east woods was an open grove in whicli the ground 
burst into rocky ledges, forming admirable protection to infantry, and 
from behind these natural ritle pits and from the open field, the enemy 
delivered a galling and destructive fire upon Doul^leday and Ricketts. The 
smoky air blazed with flame and crashed with exploding shells. In the 

376 



.-Address, Rc2'. J. RicJuirds Boyle. 

open the growing corn was cut from the stalks as with knives, and within 
the woods Hmbs of trees were torn c.way and rocks were splintered by 
the deadly fire. Lawton's troops charged on the supporting Union batteries, 
but were repulsed with double shots of canister. Meade with his two sup- 
porting brigades and his batteries came in between Ricketts and Doubleday. 
and Hooker's entire corps was in a death grapple for the possession of the 
all-important crest. On both sides of the pike the battle raged with tre- 
mendous and increasing fury. General Starke, on the Confederate side, 
was killed. General Hartsuff fell severely wounded, and General Hooker 
himself was borne disabled from the field, and Aleade assumed command 
of the corps. Doubleday was halted and pressed back for a little distance, 
but Ricketts slowly gained ground until he reached the west of the woods, 
where he held his position firmly until his ammunition was exhausted. He 
called for aid, and Magilton was sent him by JMeade. In his division, the 
Eleventh Pennsylvania, Col. Richard Coulter, the Eighty-eighth Pennsyl- 
vania, Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Gile; the Nineteenth Pennsylvania, 
Colonel Peter Lyle, and the 107th Pennsylvania, Captain James ^lacThomp- 
son, all performed valiant service. Colonel Lyle's color-bearer dying bravely, 
and Lieutenant-Colonel Gile being severely wounded. Their losses were 
one hundred and twenty-four, seventy-seven, ninety-eight and sixty-four 
men. respectively. Nine hundred and fifty-six men from the eighteen 
Pennsylvania regiments in the corps had fallen. But Hooker's progress 
was by this time halted. The lines in his front, reinforced by Walker from 
Longstreet on the right, were too strong to be broken, and as if by mutual 
consent a lull occurred in the battle, and on both sides the contending gladi- 
ators paused for breath. 

At 6.30 o'clock Mansfield had called the Twelfth Corps from its bivouac 
and marched it forward on both sides of the Smoketown road in support 
of Hooker's left. Its First Division under Williams, and subsequently 
under Crawford, contained among its other regiments the Fifty-sixth 
Pennsylvania, Col. Joseph F. Knipe ; the 124th, Col. Joseph W. Hawley; 
the 125th, Col. Jacob Higgins, and the 128th, Col. Samuel Croasdale, and 
in its Second Division, under Greene, were the 28th Pennsylvania, Major 
Ario Pardee. Jr., and the iiitli, ^Major Thomas M. Walker, with Knap's 
and Hampton's Pennsylvania batteries. Two companies of the Zouaves 
d'Afrique from Pennsylvania were also with Crawford, but without officers, 
and were temporarily attached to the Second Massachusetts Regiment. 
Mansfield fell, mortally wounded, as he was deploying his connnand into 
line, and Williams took the corps. The First Division, Crawford, in 
advance, passed Magilton and Anderson of Aleade's Division, and came into 
line to the right, Knipe's First Brigade leading. The Forty-sixth Pennsyl- 
vania, now under Lieutenant-Colonel James L. Selfridge, advanced, firing 
as it went, until it faced Ripley's Brigade of D. H. Hill's Division, which 
it promptly engaged. The i2Stli Pennsylvania, a new regiment of the same 
brigade, came into line on the right, ])ut 1)efore its formation was completed, 
its Colonel, Sanuiel Croasdale, was killed, and its Lieutenant-Colonel, 

377 



Address. Rcz'. J. Richards Boyle. 

William .M. Hammersly, was wounded. The Major, Joel B. Wanner, suc- 
ceeded to command, and led it gallantly throughout the action. Its loss was 
one hundred and eighteen men. The 125th Pennsylvania, Col. Jacoli Hig- 
gins — another new regiment — received its baptism of fire with a cheer, 
and drove the enemy into the woods on the right of the Smoketown road, 
capturing some prisoners. It supported a battery until the enemy's fire 
slackened, and then sending out skirmishers under Captain ^IcKeage. of 
Company G, it again advanced, and with great spirit delivered its fire in 
exposed line, until it was called to the support of a second battery. Its 
Adjutant, Lieutenant R. M. Johnston, was mortally wounded, and the regi- 
ment sustained a total loss of one hundred and forty-five men. The 124th 
Pennsylvania, Col. Joseph W. Hawley, also in the field for the first time, 
with its right on the pike, received a raking fire from the woods on both 
flanks, to which it valiantly responded. Its commanding officer was 
wounded, but it advanced with the division, gaining with it the field, north- 
east of the church. Its casualties included sixty-four men. 

By this time it was g.30 o'clock. General Crawford had been wounded, 
and Gen. G. H. Gordon had replaced him in command of the First 
Division. At S o'clock Greene's Second Division had come gallantly into 
the seething conflict on each side of the Smoketown Road, to the right of 
the burning Mumma buildings, and the small Twelfth Corps was to its last 
man struggling to secure the crest that Hooker was unable to take. The 
Third Brigade, under Goodrich, was detached to strengthen Patrick, and 
Tyndale's First Brigade had the right of the division line, and Stainrook's 
Second Brigade the left. The only Pennsylvania troops present with the 
division were the Twenty-eighth, Major Ario Pardee, Jr., and the iiith. 
Major Thomas M. Walker, and these veteran commands stood side by side 
throughout the morning and fought the battle in their front from an unpro- 
tected line. Knap's and Hampton's Pennsylvania batteries also were witl; 
the division and did noble service during the entire day. The men had 
leaped to arms before sunrise without breakfast, or even coffee, and 
advanced over the fields and from the east woods, firing, and capturing 
squads of prisoners. They were still as far from the church as Hooker had 
been, though further eastward, and had Ripley, Colquitt and Garland in 
their front, Jackson and Early on the west of the pike to their right, and 
Hood concealed in the west woods behind the church itself. From their 
shortened and compact lines these Southern troops concentrated on 
Greene's advancing men a withering fire, but his steady battalions pressed 
resolutely up the gentle slope, though with greatly decimated ranks. Hamp- 
ton, Knap, Tompkins and Cochran galloped up, wheeled their batteries into 
line, and filled the woods about the church with exploding shells. Two 
sections of Napoleon guns aided the artillery attack until they failed of 
ammunition and were withdrawn. Still the line advanced toward the pike, 
and at last the crest so long and so stubbornly contested was beneath the 
Union colors. But it was not yet yielded. As severe fighting as was 
possible for desperate men was still to be done. Stainrook's Brigade was 

378 



Address, Rc7'. J. Richards Boyle. 

now soutlieast of the clnircli, firing as rapidly as the men could load, and 
supported liy Tompkin's Rhode Island battery. Kershaw's Confederate 
Brigade burst from the woods south of the church, leaped the stout post 
and rail fence at the pike, and with a wild yell rushed for Tompkin's 
guns. With fixed bayonets, ihe 28tii and iiith Pennsylvania and the 
Third Maryland awaited them. When they were within fifty yards of the 
battery the iiith sprang among the axles of the guns, the cannoneers dis- 
charged double-shotted canister into the faces of the foe, and with an 
answering cheer these regiments and the Fifth and Seventh Ohio counter- 
charged against Kershaw's brave battalions. Flesh and blood could not 
withstand their impact. The enemy's line halted, swayed a moment under 
the staggering blow and broke to the rear, followed by the commands 
just named. Up to the fence, across the pike, and into the woods south 
of the church the victorious boys in blue dashed, and facing their lines west 
and south, successfully held their new position during the remainder of 
the forenoon. It was the most advanced ground gained during the day on 
that part of the field, and it threatened Lee's whole left flank. If Green 
had been permanently supported in it, Lee's left would have been turned 
and driven from the field. The Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania captured a 
battle flag. Its casualties were two hundred and twenty-six, and the 
I nth Regiment lost one hundred and ten men, out of two hundred and 
thirty engaged. Its colors were pierced by twenty-five bullet holes ; its 
color-bearer was shot; its commandant, ^lajor Walker, was wounded, and 
it was presented on the field with a flag by the brigade commander. Colonel 
Stainrook. Lieutenant-Colonel Tyndale, commanding Greene's First 
Brigade, was also wounded. All along the Twelfth Corps front the 
slaughter had been frightful, and especially where the enemy had attempted 
to cross the pike, the bodies of the slain, as another has said, had fallen in 
windrows. Lee's left was so disabled that General Jason D. Cox declares 
that another concerted movement by our available forces would have 
finally crushed it before McLaws or A. P. Hill could have reached the field, 
and Longstreet admits that such a movement would have penetrated that 
point to the river bank. 

While Williams' successful battle was in progress, Sumner was bringing 
up the Second Corps on the left and right of the Twelfth. Sedgwick's 
Division w'as in advance with Gorman_'s, Howard's and Dana's Brigades. 
In his Second Brigade (Howard's) were the Sixty-ninth, Seventy-first, 
Seventy-second and io6th Pennsylvania Regiments, under Col. Joshua T. 
Owen, Col. Isaac J. Wistar, Col. DeWitt C. Baxter and Col. Turner G. 
]\Ioorhead, W'hich troops were known as the Philadelphia Brigade. The 
division dashed into the west woods in three lines on the north of the church, 
and found Early rallied behind its outcropping ledges of rock. McLaws 
also arrived with his fresh Confederate division at this opportune moment, 
with Walker to support him. Sedgwick drove Early back upon these rein- 
forcements, but was caught on the flank l)y McLaws and Walker and two 
concealed regiments under Cols. Griggby and Stafford. Howard's Brigade 

379 



Jddrcss. Rev. J. Richards Boyle. 

changed front to meet this attack, but was forced to the right and rear in 
some confusion, Gorman and Dana sheltering themselves behind the same 
outcropping of rock that Early's men had abandoned, halted the enemy for 
a time, but Sedgwick and Dana were wounded, and before noon the 
division was retired to Joseph Pofifenberger's farm, near which the battle 
had begun, and where Meade with the First Corps was preventing Jackson 
and Stuart from resuming offensive operations. The losses of the Sixty- 
ninth, Seventy-first, Seventy-second and io6th Pennsylvania Regiments 
were ninety-two, one hundred and thirty-nine, two hundred and thirty- 
seven, and seventy-seven, respectively, a total of five hundred and forty-five 
men from the brigade. 

Greene was now alone and unsupported in his advanced position in the 
woods on the south and west of the church. D. H. Hill, finding the way 
clear, marched out of the church woods by Greene's left flank, with his 
own and Walker's Division ; in front of what was soon to be the Bloody 
Lane, towards the Roulette house. Sumner, who had accompanied Sedg- 
wick into his fight, did not retire with that division, but hastened to join 
trench's Division, which, with Brooke's Brigade of Richardson's First 
Division, was at this time appearing" in Hill's new front. Meantime he 
signalled to McClellan for reinforcements, and by virtue of his seniority to 
Williams ordered the First Division of the Twelfth Corps again to charge 
the pike in an effort to regain Sedgwick's lost ground. This was gallantly 
done by Crawford's weakened brigades, but the weight of the enemy was too 
great for them. French and Brooke, however, engaged Hill's troops about 
the Roulette house, and after a desperate encounter, drove them back over 
ascending ground on Bloody Lane, which afforded them a natural breastwork. 
Here the brigade of Colquitt, Garland, Rodes, G. B. Anderson and Wright, 
were closely posted, and some of the most terrific fighting of the day took 
place. Richardson, with the First Division of the Second Corps, came 
up in good time on French's left, and these two commands presented per- 
haps the most spectacular sight of the battle. From the Roulette house 
they advanced through the open and rising fields, swinging compactly for- 
ward in brigade front, with colors flying as if on parade, and under a 
murderous fire they reached the cre.st of the low hill and faced Bloody 
Lane. The Fifty-third Pennsylvania, Lieutenant-Colonel Richards 
McMichael, and the Eighty-first, Major H. Boyd McKean, were with 
Richardson, and the 130th, Colonel Henry L Zinn, and the I32d, Col. Rich- 
ard A. Oakford — the latter new regiments — were under French. With 
their intrepid comrades, these troops .inswered the enemy's deadly fire with 
great precision and effect. As they advanced the Eighty-first, of Cald- 
well's Brigade, and the Fifty-third of Brooke's performed excellent and 
timely service in checking a flank movement against Richardson, and frc^n 
the finally established lines, these splendid divisions for two hours upheld 
the final struggle on the right of the field of Antietam. Line after line 
charged the Lane, and sortie after sortie was attempted from it. Gen- 
eral Richardson and Colonel Barlow were wounded, the former mortally. 

380 



Address, Rcz\ J. Richards Boyle 

Colonel Oakford, of the I32d Pennsylvania, was killed. Still our lines 
pressed nearer the Lane. Scarcely seventy-five yards separated the furious 
hosts. As the guns fouled the men wiped out their barrels or snatched up 
the arms of their fallen comrades and continued to fire without intermis- 
sion. The Confederate ranks were melting away. D. H. Hill seized a 
musket and fought like a private soldier to steady his wavering men. 
Longstreet, from the west woods beyond the pike, held the horses of his 
staiif while those officers served a battery as cannoneers. G. B. Anderson 
fell mortally wounded, and Wright and R. H. Anderson were borne bleed- 
ing from the field. Col. John B. Gordon, of the Sixth Alabama, was rid- 
dled with five wounds and barely escaped with his life. Ammunition was 
running low. "Lee's lines," exclaimed Longstreet, "were throbbing at 
every point." The brigades defending Bloody Lane were fragmented and 
exhausted. Some of them contained scarcely one hundred men. The 
Lane itself was heaped two or three bodies deep, and its banks were 
smeared w'ith blood. It was no longer tenable. By 12 o'clock Caldwell, 
Meagher and Brooke were in possession of it, and the field near Hagers- 
town pike, with its important crest, was ours to within three-quarters of a 
mile of Sharpsburg. But the determined brigades of the veteran Greene 
had, alas, been forced, for lack of iidequate support, from the ground 
beyond the pike and the church, which they had so tenaciously held since 
10 o'clock. The two divisions of the Sixth Corps, under Slocum and 
Smith, had been ordered into the breach on Greene's right, but only 
Irwin's Brigade, of the Second Division, reached his side. These troops 
did some effective service in which the Seventh Maine Regiment. Major 
Hyde, was especially distinguished. This command charged beyond the 
brigade lines, with the bayonet, driving the enemy several hundred yards, 
when it found itself enclosed on front and left by a greatly superior force. 
Then it closed in upon its colors and fought its way out with a loss of 
ninety-five men out of one hundred and eighty-one engaged. The ^lajor 
and Adjutant had their horses shot under them, and no officer of the regi- 
ment escaped without bullet marks. Irwin's relief was, however, entirely 
insufficient, and Greene retired to the line on Pofifenberger's farm. 

Morrell's Division of the Fifth Corps, about 4 o'clock, was ordered to 
relieve Richardson's troops in support of the batteries near the pike. The 
brigades of Griffin and Stockton, of this division, were moved to the right 
toward Sumner, but while en route were halted by General McClellan 
personally, and except for artillery fire, were not engaged. Griffin's Bri- 
gade contained the Sixty-second Pennsylvania, under Colonel J. B. 
Sweitzer, and Stockton's the Eighty-third, under Captain O. S- Woodward. 
In the First Brigade (Barnes) was the 118th Pennsylvania, Colonel 
Charles M. Prevost, which escaped losses here, but performed gallant ser- 
vice under trying conditions, and suffered severely at Shepherdstown 
three days later. 

Franklin had in the First Division of his Sixth Corps, the Ninety-fifth 
and Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania, under Cols. G. W. Town and Henry L. 

381 



Address. Rc7\ J. Ricluirds Boyle. 

Cake, and in his Second Division, the Forty-ninth and 137th Pennsylvania, 
the latter a new regiment nnder Lieutenant-Colonel William Brisbane and 
Colonel Henry M. Bossert, but these commands were afforded no oppor- 
tunity for positive service during the day, and their losses were 
inconsiderable. 

Later in the afternoon Lee ordered Jackson's troops to attack the 
Union right, but the heavy artillery fire which was maintained by our 
batteries, rendered a renewal of hostilities unfavorable and the movement 
did not lake place. The battle on that part of the field was ended. The 
casualties of the 130th and I32d Pennsylvania were one hundred and 
seventy-eight and one hundred and fifty-two respectively. While those of 
the three corps who had fought on the right reached the appalling aggre- 
gate of nine thousand, three hundred and eighty-four men. In addition 
to these the Sixth Corps lost four hundred and thirty-nine men, of 
which the casualties in its Pennsylvania regiments were sixteen. 

At I o'clock the scene of the battle shifted from the right to the left 
of the Union line. Burnside was in command on that part of the field, and 
had with him the three divisions of the Ninth Corps, under Willcox, Stur- 
gis and Rodman and the Kanawha Division of two brigades under 
Colonel Scammon. Five Pennsylvania regiments were in the Ninth 
Corps, with Wiilcox and Sturgis, the Fiftieth, ^lajor Edward Overton 
being in Christ's Brigade ; the Forty-fifth, Lieutenant-Colonel John L Cur- 
tin, and the looth. Col. David A. Lackey, in Weber's ; the Forty-eighth, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Joshua K. Sigfried, in Nagle's ; and the Fifty-first, 
Col. John F. Hartranft, in Ferero's. Captain George W. Durrell's battery 
was also attached to Willcox's Division. The corps commander. General 
Reno, had been killed at South Mountain, three days before, and Brigadier- 
General Jacol) D. Cox was at its head. 

Burnside's whole force was posted en the east side of the creek near 
the bridge that has since borne his name. This is a stone structure, about 
twelve feet wide and more than one hundred in length, w-ith parapets at 
each side, and is one mile south of Sharpsljurg. The hills on each side 
of the creek are steep and high, and at the time of the battle those on the 
west bank were densely wooded. The Rohrersburg pike, which crosses 
at this point, winds down a ravine through the Sharpsburg Heights, -and 
approaches the liridge under the shoulder of these hills from the north. 
These bold 1;)luffs had part way up their side a stone quarry, which 
afforded a safe hiding place for sharpshooters, and along their crest a 
stone fence extended that formed a strong protection to the infantry line. 
They were defended by Confederate artillery and Walker's and D. R. 
Jones' Divisions of Longstreet's Corps, Munford's Cavalry extending the 
line to the south of the Harper's Ferry road. Toombs' Brigade, with 
skirmishers at the creek, and Eubank's, Richardson's and Eshleman's bat- 
teries, in support, directly defended the bridge. Burnside's artillery, con- 
sisting of Benjamin's twenty-pound parrott guns, and ^IcMuIlen's, 
Clarke's, Cook's, ]Mulilenlnn-g's, Simmond's and Durell's batteries, were 

.382 



Address. Rcz'. J. Richards Boyle. 

posted opposite, and his infantry was in close support — Sturgis and Rod- 
man l:)eing in front, and Willcox in reserve. Fitz John Porter's Fifth 
Corps. Sykes' Division, connected on his right and guarded the crossing 
at the Boonsboro bridge. 

In the morning the enemy promptly opened a heavy artillery fire on 
Burnside's position, the reply to which blew up two caissons and silenced 
the attack. At 8 o'clock Burnside was directed to carry the bridge, but 
he claims that the movement was to await additional orders. At lo 
o'clock his order to assault was imperative. He at once threw Crook and 
Sturgis forward on the high ground facing the bridge, with the Eleventh 
Connecticut, Colonel Kingsbury, deployed as skirmishers, and sent Rod- 
man and Scammon three-fourths of a mile down the creek to find 
Snavely's ford, with instructions to cross and protect the movement from 
the left. Crook advanced cautiously down the slope, but on entering the 
narrow, open ground beside the stream, found himself in the center of a 
tremendous converging cyclone of musketry and artillery fire. His lines 
were within easy rifle shot, and as his men bent their heads to the storm 
and charged toward the bridge, they were deluged in the narrow gap, with 
a concentrated fire of the enemy. Colonel Kingsbury, who was a near 
relative of Gen. D. R. Jones, the Confederate commander in his front, 
fell dead on the skirmish line, and after great slaughter. Crook found it 
impossible to reach and cross the narrow bridge, oh which was falling a 
hail of lead and iron. Sturgis hurried forward to his aid with the Sixth 
New Hampshire and the Second Maryland Regiments of Nagle's Brigade, 
supported by the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, Lieutenant-Colonel Sigfried, 
the Union batteries covering his advance, but the plunging shot of the 
enemy, some of which came through ihe ravine from Cemetery Hill, and 
the centralized volleys from Toombs' Brigade could not be withstood. 
Nagle's men, unmindful of danger and odds, made, however, a deter- 
mined and persistent efifort to gain the bridge. With fixed bayonets, at 
double time, and with cheers, they dashed down the steep face of the hill 
and over the narrow open ground at its base, in a torrent of fire, reached 
the bridge, crowded upon it. and almost gained the western end before 
the smothering deluge of shot and shell halted their brave advance, and 
swept them back. Burnside, beholding their repulse and thoroughly 
aroused, declared that the bridge must be carried at all hazards, and 
ordered up fresh troops. Ferero's Brigade responded, Init as only two 
regiments could be utilized, the Fifty-first Pennsylvania. Col. John F. 
Hartranft. and the Fifty-first New York. Col. Robert B. Potter, were 
detailed for the heroic task. Approaching the bridge by a shorter and 
partly protected route, they leaped into the breach, sprang upon the 
coveted structure, and with defiant shouts, and with lungs choked by smoke, 
and feet stained and slipping in the blood of their fallen comrades, they 
seized the long-contested prize, passed it on a run in a sheet of flame, 
and rushed into line on its further side. The entire division, with 
Crook's Brigade, quickly followed in double time, and dividing right and 

383 



Address, Re:'. J. Richards Boylc. 

left, clambered up the precipitous heights on which the enemy had l)een 
posted, drove him from every position, and in a few nnnutes were firmly 
lodged on Lee's right flank. But it was now i o'clock. Rodman's Division, 
after a sharp engagement, had effected its crossing below at Snavely's ford, 
and promptly joined Sturgis and prolonged the line to the right, and all 
of Burnside's troops were in position on the first ridge beyond the creek. 
The enemy immediately retired, and the batteries of Durell, Clarke, Cook, 
Muhlenburg, and part of Simmond's guns were crossed and posted, and 
the battle was renewed under new and inspiring conditions. Battalions 
of the First, Second, Fourth, Tenth and Fourteenth Regular Infantry, 
with three batteries under Randol, Van Reed and Tidball, supported by 
Pleasanton's Cavalry, had crossed at the Boonsboro bridge on Burnside's 
right from the Fifth Corps, and the line of the Army of the Potomac was 
continuous west of the creek in envelopment of the enemy. 

Having perfected his formations at 3 o'clock, Burnside ordered a gen- 
eral advance of his whole line on the heights and village of Sharpsburg, 
holding Sturgis in reserve. Filled with enthusiasm and confident of great 
results, Rodman and Willcox pressed forward and carried the second 
ridge, which commanded the field. Fairchild's Brigade, and Welch's Bri- 
gade of Willcox's Division, in which were the Forty-fifth and looth 
Pennsylvania Regiments, Lieutenant-Colonel John L Curtin and Colonel 
David A. Lackey, gained the outskirts of the town, with Christ's Brigade, 
containing the Fiftieth Pennsylvania, Major Edward Overton, close 
behind them, and it seemed as though Lee's right would be driven through 
the village and doubled up in confusion upon his center. Victory was 
clearly in sight and almost in hand. Lee was fought to disaster. If Burn- 
side's progress had continued, if Fitz John Porter had supported it, as he 
could and should have done, and if Franklin's fresh Sixth Corps had 
been put in on the right in conjunction with the other corps that were hold- 
ing that part of the field, it cannot be rationally doubted that the Army 
of Northern Virginia would have been captured or driven into the Potomac 
river on the afternoon of September 17, 1862. But this was not done. 
The Union commander was too far away from the field which his vic- 
torious battalions was conquering, to feel the magnificent opportunity of 
the crucial hour. The splendid and still effective troops who had won the 
success of the morning were not called for ; Morrell's strong division, part 
of Sykes', and all of Franklin's Corps lay on their arms. The hour so 
pregnant with tremendous possibilities was unimproved. For the second 
time that day overwhelming success slipped from our grasp. And just at 
this moment, as if in retribution for these errors, by a stroke of good 
fortune, so rare as to be well nigh incredible, Lee's critical emergency was 
relieved. A. P. HILL'S DIVISION ^lARCHED UPON THE FIELD. 
It had left Harper's Ferry at 7.30 o'clock that morning, and arrived on 
the battlefield at 3 o'clock in the afternoon by a road that brought it in 
directly on Burnside's left, at precisely the wavering point. The Lhiion 
lines were quickly disposed to meet the fresh troops. Rodman seized 

384 



.Iddifss, Kcz'. J. Riclhiiils Boyle. 

ground on the left, but was mortally wounded while leading his attack. 
Scammon changed front to rear to protect the right flank. Sturgis was 
ordered up, following Ferero, and held the enemy back in his front until 
sunset, fighting at short range, all his regiments exhibiting great bravery. 
But the augmented foe was too strong. Mcintosh's Confederate battery 
that the Ninth New York had captured was retaken. Burnside's Division 
could not withstand the impact of the enemy's reinforced line, and about 
dark they withdrew in good order from their advanced positions to the 
second line of hills he had taken, where they remained until the 19th. 
His total loss was twenty-three hundred and forty-nine men. The Forty- 
fifth, Fiftieth and One Hundredth Pennsylvania did commendable work in 
Willcox's Division, and sustained losses of thirty-eight, fifty-seven and 
eight men respectively. The Forty-eighth, of Nagle's Brigade, lost sixty 
men, and the Fifty-first one hundred and twenty. 

Thus ended the hard-fought and sanguinary battle of Antietam. 
Nearly twenty-five thousand men had fallen on both sides, and the casual- 
ties in each army were practically equal. The full fruits of the awful 
contest were not garnered, but it was the most signal and important vic- 
tory that the Union arms had to that time achieved. Its results ended 
for the time Lee's bold project of an invasion of the North, and they 
astonished and dismayed his generals. Longstreet says of them : ''The 
razing of thi' walls of Jerico by encircling marches of priests and soldiers, 
at the signal of long-Ijlown blasts of sacred horns and shouts of the multi- 
tude, v\as scarcely a greater miracle than the transformation of the con- 
quering army of the South into a horde of disorganized fugitives, before 
an army that two weeks earlier was flying to cover under its homeward 
ramparts." The battle left Lee's army seriously crippled. Generals G. B. 
Anderson and Branch were among the killed, and Generals Lawton, Ripley 
and J. R. Jones, with others, suffered severe wounds. Gen. D. R. Jones, 
one of Long-street's division commanders, never recovered from the strain 
of the (lay, and died soon after. One-third of Lawton's, Trimble's and 
Hay's Brigades were killed or wounded, and all of Colquitt's field officers 
were either killed or disabled. Jackson, for the only time in his life, was 
fought to exhaustion and inaction, and was not in evidence in the battle 
after its early hours. Lee's position in the evening was hazardous in the 
extreme. He was practically out of ammunition and was hemmed closely 
in by his victorious foes with the river at his back. He expected and 
dreaded a renewal of hostilities on the i8th. and when they were merci- 
fully withheld by the Union commander, he thankfully and quickly with- 
drew his shattered ranks across the Potomac under cover of the night. 

The North took new courage and hope from the battle. Its loyal 
people hailed Antietam as the turning point of the war. It was to them 
as a microcosm of the whole great conflict. As McClellan's Brigades and 
Divisions tightened themselves about Lee's legions on that eventful day. 
drawing their coils closer and closer, in deadly embrace, so the Northern 
people beheld in their quickened faith the power of the Republic surely 

25 .385 



Address, Rcz'. J. Richards Boyle. 

closing in upon the Rebellion for death. It was the beginning of the end. 
Gettysburg, Chattanooga, the Wilderness, Atlanta, Petersburg, were yet to 
become necessary, but Antietam was tlie morning star of a new and glori- 
ous day of peace and National reconciliation. 

It seems but yesterday that these tragic scenes were here enacted, but 
more than a generation has passed since they thrilled the world with their 
history. The commanders of these contending armies have gone from us. 
Every corps commander, on either side, has passed away. Almost every 
general officer who took part in this battle rests with his comrades who 
fell upon this field. I know of but three general officers on the Union side 
— Howard, Dana and Willcox — who remain. The great mass of the stal- 
wart young men who filled these surging battle lines, are no longer mortal. 
A remnant only of them, bowed and grey with years, lingers on earth. 
A new generation, to whom the great war is but a tradition, and who can 
never realize its sacrifices and its horrors, are enjoying the blessing which 
the valor of these heroes purchased for them and their posterity. 

But time, which hurries men away, does not dim the luster of their 
great deeds, and the work that these men did is the imperishable heritage 
of the Republic. It remains forever written upon the flag and ingrained 
in the National life. To voice this great fact Pennsylvania comes upon 
this field to-day. Thirteen of her commands w'ho fought here and else- 
where, with devotion, upon the battlefields of the Civil War, have had as 
yet, no visible memorials to mark their service. Eleven of these organiza- 
tions were infantry regiments, one was a cavalry battalion, and the other 
was a battery of artillery. The State that sent them forth, by an act 
of Assembly and through her duly constituted commission, has caused 
these belated memorials to be erected, and to-day, completed and beauti- 
ful, they are transferred to the United States Government, to be safe- 
guarded forever. It is a fitting tribute of public respect to brave men liv- 
ing and dead, and I profoundly honor my native and beloved Common- 
wealth for such a just and worthy recognition of the service of these her 
sons. I congratulate the Antietam Battlefield Commission upon the 
ability and care with which they have brought their responsible labors 
to such a happy termination. I earnestly trust that every other State, 
whose soldiers fought on this field for the preservation of the Union, will 
follow her example in this regard, and that very soon a permanent monu- 
ment will mark the site of every Northern command that shared the 
glorious scenes of that crucial day of which this is the anniversary. And 
most of all, I reverently beseech Almighty God that these, and all similar 
battle monuments, may teach to our children's children lofty lessons of 
American patriotism, so long as their chiseled shafts and sculptured 
statues shall be hailed by the morning sun and kissed by the evening stars. 



386 



General W. W. JJlackmar, of Massachusetts, Commander-in- 
Chief of the Grand Army of the Repubhc, was invited by Colonel 
Hawley to address the audience, and responded as follows : 

Comrades of the Grand Army, Citizens, Friends, all — This is indeed an 
unexpected honor, and is not tendered to me personally^ but to the two 
hundred and fifty thousand old comrades of the men whose gallant deeds 
you have listened to to-day, still living and members of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. 1 will not at this time, and following such a magnificent 
oration, attempt to say anything adequate to this glorious occasion. I 
merely, and cheerfully and proudly, my comrades, bring you the blessing, 
the loving Godspeed of two hundred and fifty thousand old comrades of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, whom 1 have the honor to command. 

Colonel Hawley announced that the commission had expected 
Governor Warfield, of Maryland, to deliver the address of 
welcome, but he was in St. Louis, and unable to be present. 

General Thomas J. Stewart, Adjutant-General of the State of 
Pennsylvania, was called for by the comrades, and responded 
as follows : 

Mr. Chairman and Comrades : After all that has been said from this 
rostrum this afternoon in the way of oration and address, I am sure that 
nothing can be said that will add anything to the interest of this occasion. 
I am glad to be here, and I would have been very glad to have responded 
to the address of welcome, if the distinguished gentleman of ^Maryland 
had been here to deliver it. I congratulate you all most heartily on the 
great success that has attended the ceremonies of the day. 

The audience united in singing- the hymn "America," led by 
the band of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. 

Rev. Joseph S. Evans, former chaplain of the 124th Regiment, 
Pennsylvania \'olunteers, pronounced the following benediction : 

God, our Heavenly Father, accept our thanks for this beautiful day, for 
the blessings we have received, for all the goodness that is manifest to us 
as we meet here ; and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of 
God our Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit go and abide with 

us evermore. Amen. 



387 



LETTER FROM JOHN W. ^lARSHALL. 

VlI<LA ESCOBEDA, ChiH, MexICo, 

February 14, 1905. 
Mr. Robert M. Green, Philadelphia. 

My Dear Comrade: Your esteemed favor of Januar}- 26th at hand, and 
you have my assurance of the pleasure it would afford me to comply with 
your request were it possible to do so with anything of interest. 

This retrospective, made in the twilight of a humble, uneventful life, 
calls forth, in this distant land, recollections of sweet and enduring social 
and fraternal ties, formed in the years that are gone, cemented in the pres- 
ent by bonds of an abiding affection, binding us in cherished memories 
to the survivors of the regiment and to that other prized comradeship 
belonging to us through a valued membership in George G. Meade Post 
No. I, Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic. Re- 
membrance of these hallowed ties, which had their conception in trials of 
march and fire of battle, thrill the aging heart and quicken the lagging 
pulse. 

No member of the Society of the 124th could feel more keenly than 
myself the severe deprivation of an enforced absence at that great occasion, 
when was culminated the arduous labors and personal sacrifice of the 
members of the Society's Monument Committee. 

What a relief you must have experienced when the hour announcing the 
work completed was marked by the lowering flag, unveiling the magnifi- 
cent shaft, erected on Antietam's bloody field to the valor of the regi- 
ment. For this work so valiantly and patiently performed, is due to you 
and your associates the sincere congratulations and to you the honor, 
from an appreciative association, collectively and individually; as one of the 
latter I feel this realization, no word which tongue or pen can form, could 
or would so appropriately tell of your work and sacrifice for others, as 
does the illuminating love and loyalty that are indelibly mscribed across 
your heart. These will be recognized by the descendants of our com- 
rades, as they admiringly view that shaft ; erected in love to the patriotism 
and heroism of their fathers, resting in their eternal encampments in the 
"green pastures and beside the still waters." 

Yours fraternallv and affectionately, 

J. W. Marshall. 



388 



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